Volkswagen Polo II (1991 - 1994) - 1994 1.0 No Reverse!!

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Tue 4 Nov 2008 08:16
1994 1.0 No Reverse!! - goosethedriver
Dear All.

My Polo Fox 1.0, 70000 miles, L Reg, bought for £325 2 years ago, has been going strong ever since. Apart from the more than common problem of problems when engine is cold.

The other week though, we lost the use of reverse. I read through the net, and a common problem mentioned was the gearstick base components wearing and causing insufficient movement at the gearbox to engage some gears.
I had this renewed at the garage yesterday (Cause i couldnt manage it with the car on a jack, it needed to be on a proper ramp), but alas after 1.5 hours work (£60), the problem was still there.
So, the mechanic said he also tried to engage reverse from under the car at the gearbox itself, to no avail. So its therefore gearbox or clutch. He suggested gearbox, cause its as though something is simply blocking the engagement of reverse, and it goes into 1-4 gears no probs. The car is at least driveable.

But baring in mind i paid very little for the car, and its now worth even less, as soon as the forward gears start disappearing, it may be the big scrapyard in the sky for my otherwise reliable VW :-(

Any suggestions? Is it much of a job to put a new gearbox on? I've tried to undo the top up screw, but i wonder if its glued as they say its a "Non maintenence" box on these, like most modern cars.
Would a 5 speed box fit on the 1.0 does anyone know?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Marty.
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Tue 4 Nov 2008 11:14
1994 1.0 No Reverse!! - 659FBE
Before going too far in, take the reversing lamp switch right out and try again.

659.
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Tue 4 Nov 2008 11:19
1994 1.0 No Reverse!! - goosethedriver
Funny you should mention that mate. A few weeks back, i followed the wife driving the polo, and the reverse light was on the whole way home. So to fix it, i took the bulb out!

Is this linked to not having reverse anymore????

So the lamp switch, that plugs in to the underneath of the box doesnt it...? if i take it out, will the gearbox oil poor out after it.?.?

Cheers.
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