I recently purchased a 97 jetta 5 speed 2.0 4 cyl. Today while driving the shifter got really sloppy and I lost 5th gear. When I go to shift into 5th it goes right into 3rd. If anybody can help it would be greatly appreciated

 

Shift bushings most likely. I work on these things everyday, and almost every mkiii jetta that had come in, at some point in time we replaced the bushings and relay rod.

 

Had VW's for years, if you lost 5th, bushing is probably correct, if you're gonna invest in new bushings, pick up a nice short shift kit. Always upgrade, back in the day neuspeed had really good parts for vw's.

 

Shifter bushings x3

A new kit from the local parts store should be under 10 bucks too.

 

Sorry for the late reply guys. I fixed it. It was re l shapes bracket that goes from the linkage and bolts to the gearbox. The teeth were worn out on it. Got one from junkyard and it shifts through all gears nice and smooth now. Shifter is still a little sloppy but not as bad as before.

 

*the L shaped bracket*

 

That would be the relay rod, has a plastic ball for a bushing on it,great to hear it's fixed none the less