Shift Mechanism: Removing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

-- Turn off the ignition and disconnect the battery ground cable, refer to [For engine(s) CVCA,CPRA,CPKA,CPLA,CJAA,CBUA,CPPA,CCTA,CBFA] Removal and Installation .

-- Remove the shift knob, boot and if equipped, the noise insulation, refer to SHIFT KNOB, BOOT AND NOISE INSULATION .

-- Remove the center console and the center console mounting bracket, refer to "Storage Compartments, Covers and Trim" in Removal and Installation .

-- Remove the nuts -arrows- .

Fig 1: Identifying Shift Housing To Center Console Nuts

-- Remove the air filter housing, refer to Removing .

-- Remove the battery and battery tray, if necessary, refer to [For engine(s) CVCA,CPRA,CPKA,CPLA,CJAA,CBUA,CPPA,CCTA,CBFA] Removal and Installation .

-- Remove the shift cable lock washer -2- from the transmission shift lever -3- .

Fig 2: Identifying Shift Cable Lock Washer And Shift Lever

-- Remove the shift cable -1- from the pin on the transmission shift lever -3- .

To avoid damage to the selector cable, the cable retainer must be disconnected from the relay lever before removal.

-- Pull the locking mechanism all the way forward in the -direction of arrow 1- and then unlock it to the left in the -direction of arrow 2- .

Fig 3: Disconnecting Cable Retainer From Selector Cable

-- Push the relay lever forward in the -direction of arrow 3- .

NOTE:

The cable retainer may be removed only when the relay lever is removed, refer to Figure.

-- Remove the cable bracket bolts -arrows- from the transmission.

Fig 4: Identifying Cable Bracket And Bolts

-- Remove the noise insulation., refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove the tunnel bridges, refer to "Muffler and Mounts Overview" in OVERVIEW - MUFFLER .

CAUTION:

There is a danger of causing damage to the decoupling element.

Do not bend the decoupling element more than 10°.
Do not load the decoupling element.
Do not damage the wire mesh on the decoupling element.

-- Separate the front exhaust pipe with catalytic converter at the double clamp and remove the suspended mount bolts from the subframe., refer to "Front Exhaust Pipe with Catalytic Converter Overview" in OVERVIEW - MUFFLER .

-- Disconnect the rear exhaust system rear section.

-- Remove the underbody trim, refer to "Under Body Trim Panel" in Removal and Installation .

-- Remove the center tunnel heat shield under the shift mechanism.

-- Pivot the shift housing downward and remove it with the cables.