Joy,

Try adjusting the plate that sits under the  shift boot like this:

-Engine off, put the shifter in the gear that is hard to get into.
-Pull up the rubber boot at the base of the shifter.
-MARK the current position of the two nuts holding the plate so you can revert.
-Loosen the two nuts and smack, push or use the lever to move the plate SLIGHTLY
toward the steering wheel.
-Tighten the nuts and see how it shifts.
-If you marked them and it is worse or no better, put it back where it was.

Worked for me and others.
Best of luck and enjoy the trip.

John Meeks
'91 Multivan, '85 GL bits
Northern Michigan

Vanagon Rescue Squad
http://www.vanagonauts.com/Vanagon_Rescue_Squad74.htm

Radio Call:KC8ZFN

On Mon, Feb 16, 2009 at 12:02 PM, Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> I'm in Augusta, Maine, heading north (if I can).  I'm having major problems
> getting my van (manual transmission) into 1st gear whenever I stop.  I'm
> headed to Newfoundland, hoped to get there by the weekend but obviously
> plans can change.  I had the van at Greg's place in Natick MA last week for
> other things, he said he lubricated it so I wouldn't have this problem, but
> obviously that didn't solve it.
>
> Does anyone know any mechanics along the way who might be able to work on
> it?  Augusta, Bangor, St. John (New Brunswick), etc...  Frederickton if that
> makes more sense (I know there are vanagon folks there).
>
> I don't think this is going to get better by itself.  I can get into
> reverse, but not into first - once I'm driving, though, I have little or no
> trouble shifting.  Mostly I've been able to get into first by going into
> reverse, backing up a bit, and then somehow I can it into first.  But that's
> not really a viable solution.  Driving non-stop isn't exactly viable
> either...
>
> Is anyone on the list in Augusta, while I'm asking?
>
>
>
>
> Joy
> and Matilda, '89 vanagon
>