I have a chance to buy a real clean 2001 S4, but the former owner is gone (another story) so I can't find any history about the vehicle. The car has no problems other than it's difficult to find first and second with the shifter (vehicle running or not, moving or stopped).

I can easily find reverse, but to get the shifter into the first or second gear "area" takes a bit of guesswork and a little luck. I CAN get to the gears, but it seems like something must be worn in the linkage.

I've read the forums and the 1st and 2nd synchros are problematic, but I don't believe this is my problem because I can't seem to find the "channel" the shifter needs to be in to get first and second gears.

Any ideas? The car is inexpensive (as-is), but if I need a tranny rebuild I'll be hurting.

thanks

 

I'm no expert, but it sounds like worn linkage - a lot easier to fix than synchros...I think if you had bad synchros, you wouldn't have a problem finding the "channel", but a problem getting it to jam in there.

I really don't know, but I watch a lot of auto DIY programs, and sloppy stick is always linkage/bushings.

 

Thanks for the quick reply.

If the shift linkage/bushings are worn in an S4, is it a fix without removing the transmission?

 

man I hope someone can come in here and specifically answer you for sure, I only have experience doing that on a Jetta and it was no problem at all...

All that linkage stuff should be external to the transmission, I would expect the worst you'd have to do might be remove a cross-member or something...

:idk: