My 2000 Jetta Won't Shift Into Third Gear
You may experience issues with your Volkswagen Jetta's manual transmission if the transmission fluid is low, the transmission is wearing down, or if the third gear synchro is broken. Once you've diagnosed the cause of the issue, you can replace the transmission or have portions of it rebuilt so that you no longer experience trouble shifting into third gear. If the issue is isolated to just one gear of the transmission, you may not need to replace the whole unit because the portion that controls the third gear may be able to be rebuilt.
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Instructions
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Check the transmission fluid level on your Jetta. The procedure to check the fluid level will vary from model year to model year. If the fluid level is low, your car's transmission won't shift as smoothly. Over time, the fluid can become dirty and contaminated. As its viscosity is diminished, so will the ability for your transmission to shift smoothly.
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2
Determine if the third gear synchro in the transmission is broken by taking the car for a drive and comparing how it shifts into third gear, compared to its shifting into other gears. If the shifting motion into other gears is remarkably smoother than that of the third gear, you can likely conclude that the synchro on the third gear is broken and needs to be rebuilt. A rebuild will require you to remove the transmission and disassemble it, replacing the third gear synchro parts with new ones.
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3
Check for a complete transmission failure by fully testing the gear change mechanisms of all the transmission's gears as you would in step 2. A dying transmission will not engage immediately after gear changes, and you will experience difficulty shifting into all gears, not just the third. Issues with your third gear could mark the start of other transmission issues, especially if it is commonly used.
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