Hello all, I have a 2004 A4 1.8T Quatro 6 speed manual with 250k km. Starting last year, when the engine is warm (after driving for a while), it sometimes refused to shift into first and instead drops into reverse. Other times, independent of temperature, it refuses to shift into second from third. I should note that these are somewhat rare occurrences, maybe once or twice a month. The local dealership looked at it today and simply said the clutch needs to be replaced. Is this an accurate assessment or is it possible that there is something else wrong (i.e. gearbox or linkages)?

Thanks!

 

If the clutch is hanging or not disengaging all of the way they it can make it hard to shift gears. One test is to put it into third with the parking brake on and then try to drive away normally and if it doesn't just stall out the clutch is probably on the way out. Hard shifts can be caused by worn internals on the transmission, worn clutch, shifter adjustment problems, or worn shifter bushings. You can try pumping the clutch a number of times and try a few other gears and go back to the problem and see if it works then. Try rev matching and see if you can get it to pop into gear, once the car is rolling you don't need the clutch to drive the car. It may be the car does need a clutch but typically this would happen more often so it is a hard one.