I just went through this same situation, which cropped up on a quick trip to
California.  After fiddling with the linkage a bit,I realized that I had a
lot of play in the rear shift linkage bushing (the one that bolts onto the
tranny).

I haven't attempted a repair as of yet, but suspect that the added play at
the rear end of the linkage could have a lot to do with the problem.

I was also able to adjust the fulcrum plate enough to make the problem go
away, at least temporarily, but that bushing will be replaced pretty soon.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Townsend" <townsend@RTP.ERICSSON.SE>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 5:23 AM
Subject: Re: transmission, entering first

> Hi,
>
> My 90 did that.  After endless fiddling with the plate angle on the bottom
> of the shifter, I realized that there was going to be no compromise there
> that allowed access to all gears, so I re-centered it like it was.  It is
> just as you say, the bar needs to go just a little bit left of where you
> can go due to interference with the reverse gate in the shifter.  What I
> did was readjust that coupling on the shifter bar just aft of the gas
tank.
>  With the transmission in neutral, I loosened the clamp.  I tightly held
> the linkage on both sides of the coupler, and rotated the rear one a few
> degrees so that transmission side of the linkage is slightly to the left
of
> where the shifter is.  I tightened it back up and it works great!  Now, I
> don't have to spend 2 minutes at every stop light trying to throw it into
> first.  Redline MT-90 in the case probably helps, too.
>
> Michael Townsend
> 90 Carat
> Durham NC
>
> ----------
> > From: Mark Watts <MVAone@AOL.COM>
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: transmission, entering first
> > Date: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 7:35 PM
> >
> > Does anyone on the list know what I have to adjust on the shift linkage
> to
> > enter first easily? I have to push down and get close to reverse to get
> it
> > into first. Other than that the tran works/shifts well.
> >
> >
> > tia,
> > Mark
>