Hi Ian,

 I have a 90 Syncro Westy that was having a similar problem that I originally attributed to the shift linkage.  After a thorough cleaning/greasing of the linkage, the problem persisted.  I am embarassed to admit this but it turns out the tranny fluid was extremely low .  I decided to have the tranny rebuilt since it was occassionally slipping out of 4th gear anyway.  You might try checking the fluid level in your tranny.  Your symptoms are identical to the ones I experienced.

Tom Runyon
90 Syncro Westy named Ruby

> Hope this reches Vanagon land.  I own a '90 Vanagon
> GL
> manual trans.  I recently began having trouble with
> the transmision.  1st gear is very hard to find and
> get into.  I have to pull the stick rather forcfully
> to the left and push back and forth until it finds
> 1st.  Sometimes it ends up in reverse.  There is no
> grinding to speak of going on.  When shifting from
> 1st
> to 2nd the transition is sticky at best.  All other
> gear transitions are normal.  The van has high miles
> and I am not sure of the transmisions maintenance
> history.  Any thots or advice would be greatly
> apreciated.  Thanks, Ian