What is the reason for not being able to engage the reverse gear in the new Jetta?
2 Answers
It may be due to a loose gear hook or insufficient clutch free travel. Loose gear hook: The Jetta model uses a multi-link gear mechanism. If the gear hook is loose and the nylon bushing on the linkage is severely worn, it can cause difficulty or inaccuracy in gear selection. Insufficient clutch free travel: Insufficient clutch free travel occurs as the clutch disc wears down, reducing the free travel. This can lead to incomplete clutch disengagement. The reverse gear is present in all vehicles and is usually marked with a capital letter "R". Engaging the reverse gear causes the vehicle to move in the opposite direction of the forward gear, enabling the car to reverse.
I've been repairing Jettas for over a decade, and there are usually just two main reasons why reverse gear won't engage. First, trying to shift into reverse before the car has completely stopped - Volkswagen manual transmissions are particular about this, you need to press the brake firmly until fully stationary before shifting. Second, not depressing the clutch pedal all the way - don't underestimate that half-centimeter gap, incomplete pressure plate separation will cause grinding noises. In winter, pay extra attention to transmission fluid viscosity; if it's too thick, gear engagement slows down. Here's a pro tip: if reverse won't engage, don't force it - shift into a forward gear first, then depress the clutch again, this usually solves it. 80% of these cases don't require major repairs, just adjusting the clutch pedal travel at the shop will fix it.
