What are the reasons why the old Lavida suddenly cannot engage the reverse gear?
3 Answers
There are several reasons why the old Lavida suddenly cannot engage the reverse gear: Not properly engaging the gear: The transmission is still in neutral; reverse gears generally do not have synchronizers. Although most gear shifts can be engaged through the gear chamfer, there are times when the gear teeth clash and cannot engage. In this case, simply lift the clutch slightly to allow the input shaft to rotate and realign the gear teeth. Handbrake not released: If the handbrake is still engaged, the car will not move. Clutch not fully released: If the clutch is still disengaged, power will not be transmitted. Synchronizer in the transmission is stuck: Or other issues may arise, in which case professional repair is required.
My old Lavida also had the problem of not being able to engage reverse gear before. After inspection, it was found to be an issue with the shift mechanism, especially the wear and looseness at the bottom shift cable connection point. Plastic parts in old cars are prone to aging and cracking, so I just took it apart and replaced it with a new rubber sleeve, and it was fixed. Additionally, if the clutch pedal isn't fully depressed, it can also cause difficulty in shifting. Volkswagen's clutch pedal has a relatively long travel, and if the floor mat is too thick and blocks the pedal, this can happen too. Finally, remember to check the transmission fluid—lack of oil or poor-quality oil can affect the synchronizer's operation. If you're handy, you can try adjusting the shift cable yourself.
The old Lavida doesn't have a synchronizer for reverse gear, so gear engagement might be rough when the engine is cold. Here's how I solved a similar issue last time: press the clutch pedal all the way down, hold for two seconds, then shift – it should go smoothly. If that doesn't work, return to neutral, release the clutch, then press it down again and attempt to shift once more, essentially allowing the gears to re-engage. Additionally, worn-out transmission mount bushings can cause the entire engine to shift, leading to misalignment of the gear lever and difficulty engaging gears. Try seeing if the situation improves after the car warms up. If it remains consistently stiff, it might be due to worn shift forks or damage to the reverse gear.
