I have 2004 b6 avant with 6m with 248000km.

Its in top shape, but I have one issue with the shifter Freezing when the température drops bellow -10. I can hear the ice crystals rubbing when I move the shifter.
After running the car fort about 15-20 minutes it returns to normal.
Anyone seen this before?

 

I have this issue time to time and can't really pin point when it happens. Sometimes it happens at -10 like for you, but other times when its even colder its fine. Lately even with the cold snaps it has been fine so maybe it has something to do with humidity? Either way, I just try to work in each gear before I start driving so I don't up a gear change when driving in traffic.

If anyone else has an answer I would be interested to know whats up with this as well.

 

I do have this, if we can call it an issue, as well. The colder it gets the harder shifter becomes. After roughly 15min of drive it's normal. For example, tonight (-12) and night before (-18 ), I wasn't able to downshift into 2nd gear. Was able to shift from 1st to 2nd though.
I believe it's the combination of gear oil thickness in cold temperatures and synchronizers being worn out. I had this issue on many VW's I owned in the past. Never had any long term problems. I am not brave enough to say it's normal but under the conditions it's expected.

 

Hi, I submitted the problem to my mechanic. He popped out part of the finishing plastic cover et the base or the shifter and sprayed a good amount W-40 downwards and closed the oppening. Dit doesn't stick anymore...
He told that it was caused by condensation accumulating over the casing or the tranny. Sometimes it can be caused by corrosion in the conduit were the shifter cable passes trought. Cost or repair 0$ ans a smiley.