Gear stick intermittently stuck in 1st and 2nd position

[Basiccontext]

Hi,

 

we recently purchased a 2019 Skoda fabia estate direct from Skoda. After we first blight it got stuck in second gear very briefly. A couple of seconds later and after pressing the clutch again, we were able to get out of second gear. It had happened again so we didn’t think too much of it. 
 

This morning was the coldest temperature I’ve driven the car in so far. After a few minutes of driving, I was in first gear and tried to push it into second, but the gear stick seemed stuck. This happened again in second gear a few moments later and then again in first gear. I’ve just driven it this afternoon and there are no issues changing gears. 
 

the car is under warranty so I’ve called Skoda to discuss. However, they have advised that as the issue is intermittent it might be difficult to diagnose. Before we spend money on an attempted diagnosis, I wanted to ask what issues we should possibly be looking for. I’m thinking of using our own mechanic in the first instance to see if he can see anything wrong. 
 

I’ve read through quite a few posts on this forum, but can’t see anything that seems to pertain quite to this specific issue. 
 

thanks for your help :)

[Warrior193]

Hello, welcome to the forum. Does this problem happen only when changing from 1st to 2nd gear - or does it also happen in other gears too?

Is there ever any issue in selecting 1st gear from neutral when stationary - or do the gears 'crunch' when you do that?

If so, I'd suspect a clutch problem - air in hydraulic system, leaking slave or master cylinder or contaminated clutch pressure plate/lining.

[Basiccontext]

Hello, thank you for your help. It has only happened with first and second gear so far. I haven’t any crunching when changing gears and no issues going from neutral to first. 

[Ootohere]

@Basiccontext  Welcome.

 

How many miles has the 5 year old car done?

 

Was it a Skoda Dealership you bought a Skoda Approved Used car from rather than Direct from Skoda?  So not really Skoda sold it a Dealership did.

IS IT A SKODA APPROVED USED CAR?

 

Is it the Dealership you are speaking to and is that the Workshop Manager, The Service desk staff or someone else? 

 

You do not need to spend anything on a diagnosis, you have consumer rights.   Merchantable quality.  Their supposed rigorous checks. 

Edited 8 March by Rooted

[nta16]

My first thought is the cables or whatever from gearshift to box which would be mechanical so no need to necessarily wait for the interment problem to show up (or not show up) on a plug-in computer machine to save any strenuous thought being put in and cause head-hurt to the overworked mechanics and technicians that need to get on with more profitable work.

 

A rare not to worry you about thing but as the car is new to you I personally would also want the gearbox checking for oil, oil/leaks and signs of previous repairs/parts replacement because I've heard of stories from two neighbours would used to collect and deliver s/h and lease cars to car storage places and dealers.  I done this on my neighbours 4-month old first-owner car and didn't even need to even remove the plastic trays below the engine and box to some very non-factory signs of (poor quality cover-up) work and I'm not a mechanic or expert (in anything).

 

Whatever you do don't let the seller fob you off, if the warranty is third party contact them and see where else you can take your car for warranty work to be done  They' might (or might not) even let your trusted mechanic look and do the work but he might not thank you for it if he doesn't deal with the warranty company (or companies) normally as, I don't know. but would imagine some might be   v  e  r  y ,  v  e  r  y   s l o  w  p a  y  e  r  s of bills to them.

 

Let us know how you go on and get on good luck.

 

[Basiccontext]

35 minutes ago, Rooted said:

@Basiccontext  Welcome.

 

How many miles has the 5 year old car done?

 

Was it a Skoda Dealership you bought a Skoda Approved Used car from rather than Direct from Skoda?  So not really Skoda sold it a Dealership did.

IS IT A SKODA APPROVED USED CAR?

 

Is it the Dealership you are speaking to and is that the Workshop Manager, The Service desk staff or someone else? 

 

You do not need to spend anything on a diagnosis, you have consumer rights.   Merchantable quality.  Their supposed rigorous checks. 

 

the car has done 60k miles. Yes, sorry for my misunderstanding, it’s a Skoda Approved Used car from a Skoda dealership. 
 

it was the dealership I spoke with today, I believe the person I spoke with was from the servicing department. My understanding was we would pay for a diagnosis, but if something was found that was covered under the warranty then the warranty company would pay for it, but if nothing was found due to it being intermittent then it would be a bit difficult. I’m also not sure if something like this would be covered under the warranty. 

[Basiccontext]

20 minutes ago, nta16 said:

My first thought is the cables or whatever from gearshift to box which would be mechanical so no need to necessarily wait for the interment problem to show up (or not show up) on a plug-in computer machine to save any strenuous thought being put in and cause head-hurt to the overworked mechanics and technicians that need to get on with more profitable work.

 

A rare not to worry you about thing but as the car is new to you I personally would also want the gearbox checking for oil, oil/leaks and signs of previous repairs/parts replacement because I've heard of stories from two neighbours would used to collect and deliver s/h and lease cars to car storage places and dealers.  I done this on my neighbours 4-month old first-owner car and didn't even need to even remove the plastic trays below the engine and box to some very non-factory signs of (poor quality cover-up) work and I'm not a mechanic or expert (in anything).

 

Whatever you do don't let the seller fob you off, if the warranty is third party contact them and see where else you can take your car for warranty work to be done  They' might (or might not) even let your trusted mechanic look and do the work but he might not thank you for it if he doesn't deal with the warranty company (or companies) normally as, I don't know. but would imagine some might be   v  e  r  y ,  v  e  r  y   s l o  w  p a  y  e  r  s of bills to them.

 

Let us know how you go on and get on good luck.

 

I have seen lots of mentions of gear links needing adjusting, so was going to ask my mechanic to check this. Good to know it should be easy to identify if we take it to the dealer though. 
 

I will definitely get my mechanic to check the gear box over thoroughly. He did check the car over after we first bought it and he didn’t mention anything like this, but would be worth double checking! 
 

thank you for all of your advice, I will try contacting the warranty company tomorrow. 

[nta16]

31 minutes ago, Basiccontext said:

My understanding was we would pay for a diagnosis, but if something was found that was covered under the warranty then the warranty company would pay for it, but if nothing was found due to it being intermittent then it would be a bit difficult. I’m also not sure if something like this would be covered under the warranty. 

That's the exact rubbish reply I put about in my post before you posted this.  I think they're talking about plugging in a scan tool to see what's been recorded on the car's computers but they only record what the sensors report and despite the numerous sensors on the car they're not on everything and can report on every fault and those they can still need interpreting and understanding as they can't always find a faulty/sensor that is the issue.

 

With your issue, as a total non-mechanic and expert in anything, I think it's probable to be possibly clutch or gearbox related, though other computer interference though very unlike could perhaps be a contributing factor and an appropriate VW scan tool report on a used car can be interesting, so, if your mechanic has one get him to plug it in and see what comes up.  If he has one I expect he did so when you first had him check the car.  Or there are members on this site that offer to help, some for free or beer tokens, some others professional so professional costs I expect, you could see if any are near you if you want. - Briskoda VCDS Owners Map (click me) 

 

If your mechanic wants to check the gearbox oil level (if cool enough) when I changed the g/box oil on my wife's car I think it was overfilled at the factory, so a quick loosening of the fill/level plug should have it weeping without taking it fully out confirming level (if not quality).

 

You shouldn't need to do all this but sometimes it's less life-hassle not to bother with those that don't want to sort things.  Good luck