Hey guys I got an 89 GT that I'm currently restoring however I've got a completely off subject problem. My gf recently bought a 98 jetta 5 sp vr6 from Georgia and it drove fantastic for the first month, but we're in PA and perhaps coincidently, perhaps not, as soon as the cold weather hit it became physically impossible to shift it into any gear while it was running until the car warmed up for at least ten minutes and even then it was sometimes either a struggle or impossible. When the car was turned off we could shift it around easily. We're afraid to force it when it's tight for risk of breaking something. When we do get it into gear it drives fine and it does seem to get better the longer we drive it. It's very frustrating since we don't always have the time to sit around and let the car warm up. Any ideas as to what the problem may be ?????

 

you need to check the slave cylinder and clutch master......I believe they arehydraulic and inspect for any leaks and complete travel of the slave cylinder push rod.....there is a tsb on the shifter rod selector shaft bolt breaking into pieces on those models causing difficult shifting..but if yours clears up upon warm up and driving it..then I'd have the fluid changed and make sure the proper type is installed no some universal deal

 

+1

My sisterhas one of the newer cougars and it was the same deal with hers, exactly like your issue to the "T". we changed the fluid designed for that car and it worked ever since then. i wouldnt drive it though until you fix it, otherwise it could end up being an expensive fix.