Selector Lever Cable, Checking And Adjusting

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle, 2015 Volkswagen Beetle, 2014 Volkswagen Beetle, 2013 Volkswagen Beetle, and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Short Description

The selector lever cable must be disconnected from the transmission in order to check it for ease of movement. Lay the removed end down so that it does not touch anything.

Then selector lever is moved and installed again on the transmission.

After that, selector lever cable must be adjusted.

Do not lubricate the cable connections.

Selector Lever Cable must Always be Adjusted if:

The selector lever cable was removed from the transmission.
The engine and/or transmission were removed and installed.
Parts of subframe mount were removed and installed.
The selector lever cable and the selector mechanism were removed and installed.
Engine/transmission positions changes, for example, were installed free of tension.

Checking

-- Move the selector lever into "P".

-- Remove the complete air filter housing:

Gasoline engine. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION or REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
TDI engine. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .

-- Remove cable from lever on transmission.

-- Move the selector lever from "P" through "S" and back to "P" several times.

The selector lever must move easily.

-- Adjust the selector lever cable.

Adjusting

-- Move the selector lever into "P".

Shift the Transmission Gearshift Lever into "P".

Fig 1: Identifying Shift Lever On Transmission Into "P"

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

The transmission gearshift lever must be pushed all the way back.

-- Pull the transmission gearshift lever forward.

-- Push the transmission gearshift lever to the rear -arrow-.

Fig 2: Identifying Lever On Transmission

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

"P" is in the Second Detent.

NOTE:

Make sure the transmission is in "P" (parking lock is engaged) if raising the vehicle. It must not be possible to turn the front wheels.

The transmission is also in "P" if the vehicle does not move with wheels spinning freely.

-- Install the cable with the loose adjusting screw -arrow- and the new lock washer -A- and -B-, if they were removed earlier.

Fig 3: Identifying Adjustment Bolt And Lock Washers

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Tap the handle on the selector lever back and forth gently but do not move it out of "P".

This places the cable in its optimal position.

-- Tighten adjustment screw -arrow- to the tightening specification.

This ends the adjustment.