ThetaTau87

There should be a procedure for adjusting the shifter linkage in the Bentley manual. That's the best place to start. If you don't find any worn parts in the shifter linkage and adjustment doesn't help you may actually have a bad trans.

If you end up needing a trans I have a used one from a parts car that shifts good.

yodasfro

Does the car have short shifter in it? It is possible it is hitting the gate in front of the shifter causing the issue.

advancedautomotion

3-4 gear selection mechanicsms do fail on those transmissions (not as frequently as the 1-2 gears). If it's just the 3-4 collar assembly and syncros then your looking about 500 bucks in parts. If you need the gears too it's cheaper to get a used gearbox.

Linkage issues typically effect all gears, not just a pair of them.

yodasfro

True I'd did once have to change an 016 that wouldn't shift from 4th-3rd it up shifted fine just not down.

evolvetech

So Ive been very busy lately but I have gotten a little bit of time to look into the Audi. I am in the process of pulling out the consoles so I can get a better look. SO far I have determined that the shifter is very sloppy...it does not appear to be an adjustment issue (correct me if im wrong) as I can find where 3 and 4, just cant get them in gear. Its not as if 1-2 and 5th are too close together, in fact they seem too far apart to me but since i haven't even driven the car yet I don't know where they were originally. The shifter is stock and has been since new.

How would I be able to tell if it is the collar assembly and syncros? Could I just assume that would be the most logical scenario if the connecting and torque rods and their respective connections, bushings, etc. look ok? The collar and syncros are inside the tranny housing, correct?

So if in fact it is the collar and syncros, does this require removal of the tranny to repair? also when you say "cheaper to get a used gear box.." i take "gear box" to mean the transmission..?

Since I am not equipped to remove the trans myself, as I dont have a hydro lift (just jack stands) I would have to get some help with it...

thankfully there have been a few offers of assistance locally if and when I need it. hopefully I will be able to help cause I like wrenching my own vehicles and I am always up for learning. That being said I am pretty knowledgeable about most things just not so much with the tranny. I have swapped out the transfer case in my 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L and done lots of suspension work, brakes, intake, ignition upgrade, aux tranny cooler, full pc and audio install so I am not totally clueless. Anyway thanks all for your help. I will definitely post when I figure out more.

On a side note, I also need a new fuel pump....i checked the relay and it seems fine but not output from the fuel pump, in fact it doesn't even make any noise...we checked it with a stethescope. I am going to check for voltage at the connector to the pump next time i have a chance. I figured I would also replace the fuel filter when i do the pump but i have a couple questions first. Which pump is recommended and do the come with the filter screen that goes around the pump? where exactly is the fuel filter? I pulled what appears to me to be a fuel filter, it looks like a fuel filter in other cars anyway...its small plastic, blueish gray just to the right of the block if you are looking down at the engine from the front. The reason i ask is because the pics of the fuel filter on the parts sites i have looked at don't look anything like what I have. I know they could just be stock photos but I want to be sure so I don't have to return them.

yodasfro

Fuel filter is in the engine bay behind the airbox attached to the passenger strut tower. You could drain the gear oil and check for metal fragments. The tranny would need to come out to be re-built. A used one is a cheaper option.
Like I said if you can get the car towed to Lebanon I'd gladly assist in helping you go over the car.