Shift Mechanism

Removing

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Torque Wrench (5-50 Nm) V.A.G 1331

-- First, check whether a coded radio is installed. If so, obtain the anti-theft code.

-- Turn off the ignition and disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove the shift knob, boot and noise insulation. Refer to one of the following:

Passat and CC, refer to SHIFT KNOB, BOOT AND NOISE INSULATION .

Eos and GTI from 2006 through 2009:

-- Remove the footwell trim panel from the center console and the ashtray or storage compartment and then remove the center console. Refer to Removal and Installation .

Golf/GTI from 2010:

-- Remove the ashtray or storage compartment and the center console bracket. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove the center console and then the rear channel footwell vent, if equipped. Refer to Removal and Installation and Removal and Installation .

Continuation for all Vehicles:

Fig 1: Rear Footwell Air Duct Remove/Install Components

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

-- If present, remove the interior monitoring sensor -G273- from the shift housing rear nuts INTERIOR MONITORING SENSOR -G273- .

-- Remove the shift housing to center console nuts -arrows-.

Fig 2: Shift Housing To Center Console Nuts

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

-- Remove the air filter housing if it is located over the shift mechanism. Refer to one of the following:

Gas engines, refer to AIR FILTER HOUSING .

Fig 3: Removing/Installing Shift Cable Lock Washer From Transmission Shift Lever And Cable From Pins

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

-- Remove the shift cable lock washer -3- from the transmission shift lever -1-.

-- Remove the shift cable from the pin -arrow-.

With a Metal Relay Lever:

-- Remove the selector cable lock washer -4- from the relay lever -2-.

-- Remove the selector cable from the pin -arrow-.

With a Plastic Relay Lever:

Disconnect the cable retainer from the selector cable.

Fig 4: Disconnecting Cable Retainer From Selector Cable

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

To avoid damage to the selector cable, the cable retainer must first be removed from the selector lever.

-- Pull the locking mechanism all the way forward in the -direction of arrow 1- and then unlock it to the left in the -direction of arrow 2-.

-- Press the relay lever forward (in the -direction of arrow 3-).

-- Remove the relay lever with the cable retainer. Refer to Figure.

Continuation for all Vehicles:

Fig 5: Removing/Installing Cable Mounting Bracket From Transmission

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

The cable bracket is secured to the transmission with either two bolts and a nut -arrows-,

or with three bolts -arrows-.

Fig 6: Removing Cable Mounting Bracket From Transmission

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

-- Remove the noise insulation. Refer to Description and Operation .

-- Remove the tunnel bridges.

-- Remove the floor panel trim. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Separate the front exhaust system front section at the double clamp and remove it from the subframe.

-- Disengage the exhaust system rear section and remove the heat shield.

-- Pivot the shift housing downward and remove it with the cables.

Installing

Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal while observing the following:

-- Align the shift housing so that it is parallel to the body.

The distance on both sides to the body must be equal.

For tightening the shift housing, see item 26 or item 16.

-- Route the cables -1- from the shift mechanism -2- to the transmission as follows:

Fig 7: Routing Cables From Selector Mechanism To Transmission As Follows

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

The cables must run parallel to each other and must not cross each other.
The cables must be routed inside the depression in the heat shield -3-.

NOTE:

The heat shield is shown from above in the magnified view.

A clip -A- holds the cables in place to the heat shield.

Fig 8: Identifying clip that holds the cables in place to the heat shield

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

These holes have different diameters.

Allocation of cable retainers, refer to Figure.

-- Apply a small amount of grease to the pins -arrows- on the transmission shift lever -1- and the relay lever -2-.

Fig 9: Removing/Installing Shift Cable Lock Washer From Transmission Shift Lever And Cable From Pins

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

-- Replace the lock washer -3- and the lock washer -4- on the metal relay lever each time they are removed.

-- Secure the shift cable with the lock washer -3- and the selector cable with the lock washer -4-.

Cable Retainer with Plastic Relay Lever:

-- The relay lever and cable retainer must be installed together. Refer to Figure.

-- Insert the selector cable into the cable retainer.

Continuation for all Vehicles:

-- If present, position the interior monitoring sensor on the rear shift housing nuts. Refer to INTERIOR MONITORING SENSOR -G273- .

-- Install the shift knob, boot, and noise insulation. Refer to one of the following:

Passat and CC, refer to SHIFT KNOB, BOOT AND NOISE INSULATION .

-- Install the floor panel trim. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Assemble the exhaust system free of tension and install the tunnel bridges. Refer to FRONT EXHAUST PIPE WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS .

Adjust the shift mechanism. Refer to SHIFT MECHANISM, ADJUSTING .

-- If removed, install the air filter housing. Refer to AIR FILTER HOUSING .

-- Observe the work sequence after connecting the battery. Refer to Removal and Installation .

Tightening Specifications

Component
Shift housing to body, see item 26 or item 16.
Cable bracket to transmission, see item 6 and item 10.