I have a 2004 fabia vrs with 149,000 on the clock. It has been reliable with 63mpg on a run if I take it easy. 3 months ago, I lost most of my gears. My local garage who have been helping with the major bits since I bought it said the gearbox had gone. I managed to find a second-hand unit from a 40k vrs for £360 which they fitted along with a new clutch and bearing.

All was good for around 3000 miles until Saturday last week when I couldn't get it into gear. eventually, I got it going by starting it in 1st and letting the clutch out. I managed around 10 miles but couldn't engage 5th or 6th. Eventually, all I had was 1st gear so I drove for a couple of miles until I could pull off the road and got bought home by Green Flag. I managed to get it back to the garage on Wednesday where they told me the gearbox had gone again.

Really strange as the symptoms were similar to the last time.

The suppliers of the gearbox are disputing that there is a problem and to be honest, I am beginning to doubt it as well.

The symptoms are:

Starting in gear sometimes works with most gears including reverse but occasionally it will not work in any gear. I engaged 1st gear and started the engine and managed to feel the clutch bite through most gears up to 5th after which it stopped working again.

I have tried several times engaging various gears and starting the engine and 50% of the time, it engages.

When it doesn't engage and with the engine running, the gear stick slowly moves out of position until it is in neutral.

I am really at my wits end as I don't want to fall out with the gearbox supplier or my local garage but I also need a car that works and don't want to spend another £1100 changing the gearbox if it isn't broken.

If anyone can shed some light on this I would be grateful.

Cheers

Simon

To confirm:

When it does go into gear the clutch doesn't drag but has a normal biting position?

There are no awful noises from the gearbox?

There are no peculiar noises from the engine mountings and the engine doesn't rock if you push it?

If above all true then it sounds like the selector linkage would be the first check. It does need setting up carefully, but is easy to check and there is a guide in the Haynes manual and here - ElsaWeb - VAG Audi Škoda Seat Volkswagen Online Repair Manuals

If they had put the battery holder 10mm to the right and 10mm higher, I could have done it all without taking it all out!

Anyway after setting up the linkage several times without success I was beginning to think it was the gearbox after all. Then I noticed some play in the linkage spindle. It turns out the spline had worn out the hole in the gearshift lever/balance weight the linkage attaches to. Sometimes it selected gears ok but when the engine was running, the vibrations caused it to slip. My garage hadn't spotted it and they apologised - fortunately before I had forked out over a grand for a new box!

I have ordered the new part which should arrive tomorrow at a cost of £15 + vat saving me £1090.00.

Just need to set it up and off I go to ASDA to buy some food and drink as I have been without a car for over a week. Feels like my birthday all over again!

Thanks very much for the link on setting it up. Very helpful.

I know exactly which bit you mean.

The same happened to mine before my gearbox went too.

The garage just stuck some washers on the top to save me some cash.

Phil