Hi, I own a mk1 fabia vrs 6 speed manual 1.9tdi.

Sometimes the car doesn't want to go into reverse gear and I have to pump the clutch.

Today I had to keep manoeuvring my vehicle using reverse to escape from a horrific tiny car park at the dentists. Every time I went into reverse it got stiffer and stiffer and really didn't want to go into gear. I was worried that it would eventually just refuse to go into gear.

The cars only done 84k and is standard, any ideas what's wrong here or how to resolve the issue?

Cheers

James

Gearbox oil? 

That is a VERY random stab in the dark

 

I am sure you will get replies from people more techie than me shortly.

Hi, I own a mk1 fabia vrs 6 speed manual 1.9tdi.

Sometimes the car doesn't want to go into reverse gear and I have to pump the clutch.

Today I had to keep manoeuvring my vehicle using reverse to escape from a horrific tiny car park at the dentists. Every time I went into reverse it got stiffer and stiffer and really didn't want to go into gear. I was worried that it would eventually just refuse to go into gear.

The cars only done 84k and is standard, any ideas what's wrong here or how to resolve the issue?

Cheers

James

 

Reset the gear linkage cables (procedure works for most VAG boxes iirc):

 

 

Had to do this on my Cordoba twice during my ownership. Reverse got progressively worse until I did this.

Its very random, I mean it doesn't do it all the time just say once in a couple of months if not longer. When it does happen it seems to get stiffer though, the other gear changes are very smooth and effortless and it never pops out of gear.  

I am not sure if that's the same situation, but my 1.4 mpi had some issues with the reverse gear, about the same that you described. I had my brake fluid replaced, bleeded the brakes and the clutch, it works like a charm now. Changing the gearbox oil and shifter linkage adjustment are also cheap and easy to do.

Edited 10 March, 201511 yr by Alexandru

It's NEVER the gearbox oil, unless the level is very low.