How do I adjust the shift linkage cables.

shift cable broke or out of adjustment

Sounds like the shift cable is off the transmission under the hood. Raise the hood and check to see if the cable is moving the linkage going into the transmission when the shift lever is moved in the car. Be sure to have park brake on.

Shifter cable/ linkage needs to be adjusted.

The linkage may be out of adjustment preventing the shifter from moving into reverse or park.
One way to test this is to disconnect the linkage and manually move the lever on the transmision making sure that it can be set into park. Also try moving the lever counting each click from park to low gear to make sure it is clicking into each gear. If this works then the linkage is probably out of adjustment.
On the link cable there is typically a bolt in an oval shaped metal near the transmission shift lever.
1)Detach the shift cable from the transmission shift lever
2)Put the transmision shift lever in the park position, and also the shifter in the cab
3)Loosen the adjustment bolt
4)Reattach the cable to the lever
5)Tighten the adjustment bolt in place
6)Confirm that you can shift through all of the gears
Hope this helps

Fluid color don't matter. Your cable or shifting linkage may have slipped or is slipping. #1 Hold brake pedal down and move shift lever very slow around the reverse indicator. When reverse activates note were indicator is located. #2 Test the other gear indicators at the proper speeds(MPH). No problems with #2-linkage problem. Problem with both-go get a six pack. Good Luck.

Things haven't changed much...look on top of the transmission in the engine compartment and look at the shifting linkage. Look for anything that could be interfering with the shifting. One linkage is the cable to the Shift Lever and Rod that goes down into the transmission. Remove the cable adjustment screw.
Move the shift lever rod towards the front of the Van into the Park Indent Position. Place the Driver's Position (Dash) Shift Lever into Park and then reconnect the Cable to the Shift Lever and tighten down the cable adjustment screw to 70 in-lbs.
Check operation's
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With a partner and engine off but key in on (not start) position: Have them shift from Park to Low one gear at a time, while you watch the shift linkage located on top of the transmission. Sounds like the shift cable is loose. IF SO: Place Shift Lever in Park. Loosen the the cable adjustment screw. Move the shift rod (going into the transmission) towards the front of the vehicle until in Park. Tighten the cable adjustment screw to 100 in-lbs. Check Park/Neutral starting only.

My VW is not shifting into reverse at all; I think a certain person was driving and mistakenly pressed the gear shifter down for all gears--reverse is the only gear you press the shifter down first in. Doesn't grind, 1 2 3 and 4 work but no reverse no reverse lights.
I've read several complicated (can't see scenario's) posts on screens and linkage and a cable fixed one guys problem but still no solutions.

u need to adjust the shift linkage cables, the adjustment is made at the trans end of the shift cables, very involved, u will need a repair manual to get it right and also a possible set of new shift cables as well..

Hi there.Hope this can help.On the top of the transmission there's a black electrical plug that the shift linkage goes in..It sounds like the range sensor is out of adjustment..If you try going from reverse to like first or second does it still stall.You may have to get it adjusted.Does the selector in the car where it say P R N D 2 1 Line up with its indicator.

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