Reverse lockout shifting problem
 

I have a 99 b5 a4 and the shifter is having this bad tendency to be easily pushed down( like you would for reverse) but it will go down for all the gears. It very easy to accidentally push it down under normal shifting, and when it does get pushed down, it feels awful. When its down the neutral position isn't springy like it should be, and you also really have to shove it into gear when its down. I don't like it. I've resorted to just pulling upward on the shifter slightly when shifting but it's not cool. Help me to shift like a normal person again!!

bump. It appears I have a short shifter installed ny the PO. Could this be cause from mis-adjustment of the ss? or is this my synchro's for 1st and 2nd going??

It may be an incorrect positioning of the linkage. You can loosen the bolt on the linkage and move it around a little to experiment until you get the feel where you want it. I'd mark the position it's in now before starting though so if you don't get it you can at least go back to how it currently sits (where it at least is useable).

Okay I'll go goof around with it tomorrow. Good idea on marking it, I can see myself not and then having a worse problem.

So I finally pulled things apart and Took a look. First it seems there is no reverse lockout for this one. A snap ring had slid upon the lever, making it feel like there was a reverse lockout.

I have no idea why but since i did this it seems to go into second a bit more willingly(though it will still grind of not careful), but first won't go unless you really shove it, or put it in first at a complete stop. This sucks!
Here's where it is nowt sure where to adjust it/ what not
Attachment 9679

Attachment 9680

Attachment 9681

Bumpa loompa. Still does the same thing. Often reluctant to go into 1st/2nd, sometimes grinds going into 2nd. Synchros?

If you've got the push down reverse lock, you wouldn't be able to get it into reverse without pushing down. A good way to check is to take the shifter apart and look for the reverse lockout pin. No pin=no lockout. Sounds like the synchros *might* be on their way out, but this seems more like a poorly installed shifter to me.