Had an MOT yesterday, passed with flying colours. On the way home after the MOT, i stopped at some traffic lights and had a bit of a wait so put the car in neutral, lights turned green and i had trouble getting into 1st gear, the clutch was completely down but it just wouldn't go into 1st, after pressing the clutch a few times, it finally went into gear and i managed to shift up and drive without any issues for the rest of the journey.

 

I pulled up outside my house and tried to select reverse to reverse onto my drive, i had the same issue as earlier, it just wouldn't let me select that gear until i pressed the clutch a few times.

 

I've driven twice since then and i am having the same problem but it doesn't happen all of the time, it happens more just as i start the car and i'm about to begin my journey and then when i stop to reverse onto the drive, etc.

 

I had a feeling that the carpet or something was getting in the way which was not allowing the clutch pedal to go all the way down, but after checking that out, there are no issues there, i can press down on the clutch as hard as possible and it still won't let me select 1st or reverse until i do it a few times.

 

As far as i'm aware, the car is still on it's original clutch and i have just hit 78k on the clock recently. Any ideas on what i should try next and what could possibly be causing this??

 

Thanks.

 

 

Try it a few times with the engine switched off, if it's the same it might be the gear linkage cables, it's normally the case for first and reverse.

+1 i would try adjusting gear linkages first 

Just don't use a drill bit to lock the gearstick!

Just don't use a drill bit to lock the gearstick!

How come?

because it can drop down into the casing and is a royal pain to remove....believe me i know....

 

second time round I used one of those small screwdriver sets, the body of one of the smaller ones is the perfect size to lock it and not fall down.

Ahh fair enough. Jw as I used a drill bit and it was fine. See where you're coming from though.

allen key to lock gear stick ....

i too know the pain of loosing a drill bit lol

Weren't you the one who warned me about it holmesie? The day after I did it?

I tried Allen key but bent mine after forgetting it was in, it didn't lock it in place enough for me. Wiggled a bit too freely for my liking.

Ithese are what I used, fit perfectly;

http://www.toolstation.com/m/part.html?p=12357&utm_source=feed&utm_medium=googleshopping&utm_campaign=googleshopping&mkwid=3JJN89Bk&pcrid=26798351543&gclid=CPzsjrTk0LoCFQjKtAod1C4A7Q

I get this but its more of a temperamental thing, more often not a problem than being one.

 

Usually its been when I've drive to work, get to navigating the car into a spot and found it to be quite stiff.

 

But its far from a consistent problem, hence why I haven't even bothered with the fix yet.

Weren't you the one who warned me about it holmesie? The day after I did it?

I tried Allen key but bent mine after forgetting it was in, it didn't lock it in place enough for me. Wiggled a bit too freely for my liking.

Ithese are what I used, fit perfectly;

http://www.toolstation.com/m/part.html?p=12357&utm_source=feed&utm_medium=googleshopping&utm_campaign=googleshopping&mkwid=3JJN89Bk&pcrid=26798351543&gclid=CPzsjrTk0LoCFQjKtAod1C4A7Q

not sure lol im sure either will work aslong as it doesnt drop through