Your problem is going to be one of the following areas.
- Clutch, engine off, press the clutch pedal slowly to the floor. The resistance of the clutch is felt all the way until an inch or two before reaching the floor it should then go to a lighter resistence. This is the clutch diaphragm spring throwing over and it is what you want it to do. If OK you can assume the clutch is OK.
- Linkage, engine off, have an assistant move the gear change lever through its full range of movements, rocking the lever towards and away from its position when a gear-selected position. Watch for undue movement or slack in the linkages. This movement can jam the linkage in the selected position. While doing the linkage check, remove the gearlever gaiter to check the gearlever ball joint is sound and that there is no obstruction to the lever that should not be inside the boot. Make sure any bolts that there are, are tight on the whole set up. If you find you have to disconnect anything, mark their position with office correction fluid so you can replace them back in their exact position.
- Gearbox, internally the gearbox has roll pins, set screws and detents which control the engagement of gears and the selector lever positions. This is a gearbox removal and stripping job, but with the reliability of the VW gearboxes is the least likely.
(Turning the engine off can in a lot cases make in easier to come out of gear. When you are in neutral just start up and carry on.)
