(1.4 mpi) I've always found VW levers very zigzag, as opposed to smooth glides on other cars, when changing gear, but mine is difficult to get into first gear at all sometimes lately.

I know the clutch has to be fully depressed (despite its long travel), but I have to disengage to neutral and try again. Somewhat inconvenient when traffic lights have just turned green LOL.

I can't fix anything myself, but it's due to go in for service soon. Can I ask them to do "something" please?

Ta

Mo

There are adjustments that can be made to the cables in the linkage (to account for stretching etc), and tweaking them certainly improved my old Fabia TDI. It's a job best left to the dealer IMHO, and I think it takes two people to do it.

In my experience. If the car is non-stationary, you can only get to First if the car is slow enough to near stationary. If the car is stationary already (e.g. pulling out from parking), try to get to the Third gear first, without releasing the clutch, then try the First again.

It worked on my 1.4 16v.

*awaiting comments about women drivers holding people up at traffic lights*

In my experience. If the car is non-stationary' date=' you can only get to First if the car is slow enough to near stationary. If the car is stationary already (e.g. pulling out from parking), try to get to the Third gear first, without releasing the clutch, then try the First again.

It worked on my 1.4 16v.[/quote']

Thanks, I'll try that

FAO Goochie: Exactly, and especially in a Skoda Though on that basis, I might just get away with it

I'll ask them about the cables Louis. For me, a jolt that puts my shoulder out is something that a man can do with a flick of his wrist (so to speak), so it's not easy persuading them that there's a problem.

*Must hire chauffeur*

Thanks

Mo

difficult gear selection possibly down to clutch drag , i.e. gearbox not stopped rotating after clutch pressed ,is reverse a problem to select also ? also poss fault with gear synchro

difficult gear selection possibly down to clutch drag , i.e. gearbox not stopped rotating after clutch pressed ,is reverse a problem to select also ? also poss fault with gear synchro

First gear only is a problem. Not quite sure what you mean, but I'll try deliberately to depress the clutch, pause, then select gear - in case it's a simultaneous timing thingy.

Thank you.

Mo

i've replace a lot of ford fiesta clutches due to clutch drag but i must admit they usually clunk into reverse and as you've not got a problem with reverse there maybe a selector/cable concern

Selecting another gear often helps. I remember my instructor on an advanced driving course telling me - I was struggling to get someone else's car into reverse - "show it a bit of a forward gear first", and it worked! I often resort to that now.

Tweaking the cables sures help. I know it has been done in service, and I have personaly played with one already adjusted. It was so smooth. I would like to know the procedure, because the owner of the car could not tell since he was not in the workshop when the job was done. Does anyone have any info on this?

I adjusted the shifter cables myself and the box is even smoother now.

If you go to dieselgeek.com fitting manuals (sigma 6) - forget the bits relating to the DG shifter and there's the adjustment steps right there. You only need to open the spring-loaded cable clamps under/near battery box then using a sophisticated bent common nail (to lock the "stick") lock locking the tranny adjustment pin, and then close the clamps. Release transmission pin and remove bent nail. You only need to open one screw and ease off the airhose to access the relevant bits.

Piece of cake. (PS I am not a professional mechanic - this worked for me.)