I have a usually reliable 2003 1.9TDi Fabia which has 185k on the clock.

 

Recently it's doing a weird thing. When I start from cold, everything is normal, but after driving for 5-10 minutes in 4th and 5th, it becomes very hard to get into 1st and 2nd. Seems to get worse the longer I drive. Turning the engine off when I stop doesn't help, but what does work is I try to put it into reverse - I then get 1st! I have to push the stick down and it stays in the locked down position just like reverse except its in 1st. Getting into 2nd requires a waggle as I bring the stick back, to release it up and out of the pressed-down lock.  It's all still very stiff and hard but it works.  Getting into ACTUAL reverse is near impossible.  I'm not sure if I'm doing any damage driving like this. 4th and 5th are pretty much normal and I'm not driving around town so hopefully ok.

 

I'll be taking it to the garage asap but just wondered if anyone had any pointers.  Thanks in advance. Steve

Resetting the gear linkage should sort it. The cables have stretched over time and miles.

10 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

Resetting the gear linkage should sort it. The cables have stretched over time and miles.

Thanks. I'll get the mechanic to look at that.