Volkswagen Repair: 99 Jetta, cotter pin, linkage problem

Question
My daughter drives a 99 Jetta, 5 speed, with 79000 miles on it.  We drove it in
town and suddenly couldn't get it to reverse out of a parking space.  She can
put it in reverse, but it goes forward, not backward.  First and Second gear
seem underpowered as well.  She's a college student and I'm not sure how
much I can invest in this car.  She drives it to school, 250 miles away, and
then mostly parks it.  Could this be a simple linkage problem, or do you
suspect something bigger and pricier?  Thanks for helping.

Answer
Hi Maureen;
The problem you describe does in fact sound like a linkage issue.  To get the transmission into reverse requires a push down on the linkage inside the car, and this translates to the action on the top of the transmission.  There is a semi-circular/curved piece on the top of the transmission with a nylon bushing or plastic insert that keeps everything tight, and quiet.  Did this part come out?  If so there will not be enough room, or distance to push the linkage down to make the internal part "grab" the intermediate shaft to engage it with the reverse.."spur" gear located on the inside of the transmission case.  The other thing it might be is the cotter pin, or pins that hold the cables on the linkage may have broken, and you aren't operating the entire linkage but only part of it.  Behind the battery case, and below it look at the linkage apparatus, and see if all the parts I refer to here are still there.  I'm thinking cotter pin.  Hope this helps you get the repairs made, Maureen.  Good luck.  If you can't visualize what I am saying, or referring to, go to the local library, and look up a "Bentley's" repair manual for your daughter's car.  They have the figures to go with the descriptions.