my 2001 vw beetle wont shift from 2nd no matter what gear i am in even reverse:(

is it an automatic? the linkage may have broke...

Leon is absolutely correct, it breaks at the trans.

^^ is it difficult to fix? the only reason i ask is because my mom drives an 01 beetle as well...

Need a new cable, around 130 for that, depending on how good you are is how hard it is...my sisters jetta cost like 350 to get this replaced since u needa drop exhaust and the heat shield to get to the bottom of the shifter box.

cool. hopefully it never happens to hers. thanks for the info, kind sir...

yes it is automatic, if the linkage was broke would you still be able to shift to other gears? this VW will shift into all the gears R D 3 2 1 ok but.... it still stays in 2nd (IE in reverse it tries to go forward and reverse.):(

the shifter may go back and forth, however, if the linkage is broken or cable is severed, it will not change the gears in the transmission...

I guess i am not clear on my problem the car will shift into any gear, but (lets use reverse) when you shift to reverse it will try to go backwards but if you give it gas it go's forward it will pull and drive in any other gear like D,3,2,1, but it only pull correctly in 2nd.