I suddenly lost 4th gear and reverse, what would cause that, i dont believe i am low on tranny fluid(gear oil) but im not sure, but, i was told that there is an adjustment on the shift linkage, but that is in my tranny, wat is the most likely cause? and by the way, i just recently installed a new clutch

no country told
no engine told
no vin told
these facts lets helper now the exact transmission there. which I go GENERIC answering now.
fails hot and cold engine.???
PRNDL , R and L work ok?
no BORA here at all USA.
all our cars here 2002 are electronically shifted
and the tests on car are mostly the same
as other poster said fluid levels but also not smells burnt or looks like tar.
A/t box filter not clogged. if is may work hot trans.
all fuses checked good as in ALL
no tranny leaks end to end.
engine has full power, Low and REVERSE? not told
drive never hits, 4th gear, so that can be simple.
WE next scan the PCM(tcm) and see if there are solenoid, or pressure sensor or pressure control valve errors.
if all that pans out (means good)
we then do the transmission pump pressure port tests.
in all gears PRNDL , per service manual (a tool)

also some cars this old , not here.
still had TV cables (throttle body to tranny cable)]
that if rusty, stuck or frayed they can stick out and
4th gear can not be reached because the tranny thinks the driver is wanting passing gear. 3rd.!!!


on newer boxes the TV cable is gone forever.
and TCM computes load and throttle demand purely by electronics. so if sensor lie so must box fail.

I answer for doing tests not guessing
but no transmission told. or country
some of these cars use ZF box.
maker.

no year car told at all wow. 2004 to 2009
2008 last one made USA.
scan the PCM for tranny errors for sure reverse. solenoids and reverse gear is band actviated.
there are 3 gears (at least) called SELECTIONS
PRNDL (or PRND12)
does L work ,car move in loW?
does D work shift up 1,2,3,4? OR SLIPS OR FLARES
OR?
and R fails. well most times that is a bad tranny.
IF ONLY FAILS SAY SO.
IF CAR FAILS IN ALL GEARS MAKE SURE PARK IS NOT STUCK.
the actual box series name is
4-speed 4T65-E automatic


test 1 is make sure shift linkage really does R detent
in the box. AND PARK WORKS AND CAR ROLLS OK IN NEUTRAL.


the shifter goes to R
and reverse lamps glow. AT REAR OF CAR GLOWS.
if yes the reverse band is failing.
the official list in ATSG IS


Automatic Transmission Fluid Level
• Low fluid level
Transmission Main Line Pressure
• Low transmission main line pressure
Manual Linkage
• Misadjusted
Oil Filter Assembly
• The oil filter assembly (100) is missing, plugged, or damaged.
• The oil filter seal assembly (101) is missing or damaged.

Reverse Band Servo Assembly
• A servo piston oil seal ring (43) is missing or is damaged.
• A servo piston (44) is damaged or is stuck in the case bore.
• The servo piston cushion springs (45, 47) or the retainer (46) is missing or damaged.
• The servo piston pin (48) is not engaged to the reverse band assembly (615).
• The reverse band assembly (615) is worn or burned.
• The reverse band assembly (615) is disengaged from the anchor pin (117B) band.
• The anchor pin (117B) is loose or missing.

The only way your gonna loose just 4th is to break a sol. Or unplug a sol. You probably lost both 3rd and 4th though from low fluid or it was on its way out.

This is a transmission related issue. If the vehicle starts but will not go in any gear you have an intrernal tranny problem. Will it move at all in neutral? Check and see if the trans fluid is at the proper level. I believe these transmissions are just drain and fill ( no filter change ) during fluid service. If the fluid level is correct and a good color, the internal differential may have come apart causing the lock up situation. If the fluid level is low ( suspect a leak especially after a service ) and low fluid will cause a no shift/drive issue

It could obviously be the tranny is gone, but you would want to make sure you have enough clutch flood and the clutch is fully engaging. I had a leak in my 98 cavalier clutch fluid, and when it got low, it would not fully engage the clutch, simply making it hard to get into gear. Its DOT3 fluid. If so try reversing a little bit and gently tiring to get into gear. I believe 1st and 2nd gear share the same gear selection fork inside the tranny. Drain fluid and look for metal.

Check the easy first
A) tranny fluid, with the vehicle running
B) all fuses
C) vehicle grounds for corrosion.
D) make sure the main tran's plug isn't pulled out at all. Even the slightest movement of the plug can cause it to go in limp mode which won't let you get out of 1st gear.

I believe it will be lack of fluid, or solenoid failure since you don't have reverse. Limp it to a tranny shop if you have any doubt. They may charge you to diagnose or not if its a simple fix. Either way if you don't do it proper you may be taking it to them anyway for a rebuild or new tranny.

vw has problems like this due to tranny fluid getting to low, when oil is low tranny starts doing crazy things, on your model im not to sure but most of the newwer vw's require a lift to check the tranny oil level. from under the the car theres a plug on the tranny pan, this is where you fill it and check it. there are a few steps like make sure the engine is at operating remp and on level ground an then you go through the gears and let it sit with engine runnig and remove the plug and some oil should leak out, that is full, its a tube inside the pan and when the pan is full it gets to the height of the tube and inturn runs down the tube and out from the plug you removed,the oil should just dribble out if it runs out steady then allow it to drain until the flow is very slow, this would be due to overfilling it. good day.

Sounds like you have a defectine cluthch componant. Best way to verify is get the rear axle off the ground . So as not to let the rear drive wheels make contact with the ground. Have an assistant start the truck and put it in gear. After making sure the vehicle is secure crawl under the vehicle and listen to comfirm that the noise is coming from the clutch area.

YES! But your tranny has a BAND for first gear, and clutches for 2nd, third, and if equipted, 4th. The bands are usually the cause of the "burnt smell." The foam is cause by fluid aggitation. DO NOT JUST ADD FLUID. Drain the fluid in the tranny case, and replace the filter, and the fluid. I suspect that the salvaged tranny may have a burned 1st gear band.

There are to many things that can cause this problem, best thing to is go get the ECM scanned for DTC codes at a transmission shop or Auto zone or Parts Source since they scan for free.
The ECM should have DTC code in it's memory on how the transmission is Performing and have the Transmission line tested for Fluid pressure.
Good luck and hope this helps. Oh and also ways check with more then on transmission shop if there tell you that you need a new Transmission,
It could be a simple as the transmission filter falling off causing the lost of transmission fluid pressure. Check the transmission fluid too.