Mechanic Advice

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MT: I'm worried (lemm.ee)

submitted 5 days ago by [email protected] to c/mechanicadvice

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Hi! I have a 2010 GTI, manual transmission, currently 120k miles, owned since new. Recently, when shifting into 2nd or 3rd, I've felt a vibration as if the clutch wasn't quite in all the way. It's only happened a couple of times over the last month.

Potentially Related Background: In 2017, I turned into a parking lot and couldn't/didn't see that there was a major curb separating incoming traffic. After a a horrific crunch (and some dripping evidence a few days later), I took the car in to a local VW tuning shop. They replaced the trans and clutch with used OEM parts, as was required by my insurance. Since then, the clutch has been weird, the gates to 1st and 2nd are really tight in cold weather, and my reverse lights don't work. (I know the latter isn't related, but it bugs me.)

My question: I'm barely skating by financially and need this car to last another 5 years. Is there any kind of preventive maintenance or other activity that can prevent what I fear?

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[–] Death_Equity 3 points 5 days ago

The harder to shift 1st and 2nd in the cold is common for a GTI, their transmissions are not great.

Your reverse light issue is probably the switch not connected or just bad, they are a common issue as well. The switch itself is located on the transmission towards the front of the car and can be accessed by removing the engine air box, the switch costs like $15-40. I think it needs a 22mm deep socket, but you may be able to get a short 22mm wrench on it.

[–] NegativeLookBehind 3 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

If it’s not a sealed transmission (meaning that your car has a dipstick for the transmission), check the fluid level. Based on your description I’m not exactly sure what the problem could be.

Also, I’ve owned manuals that also had a sticky 1st gear. Try putting it in 2nd gear and then to 1st, to see if that makes it easier.