Hi all,

I’m hoping some of you could provide a bit of insight:

The Mrs broke down today in her 16 plate Fabia Monte Carlo (1.2tsi 6 speed Manual). From what she told me she was driving along the dual carriageway and shifted from 5th to 6th - the car flashed up that it recognised it in 2nd gear. So she switched down the 5th again - the car recognised it as 3rd. Then 4th and it recognised it as 1st.

Apparently with the gear changes, the revs rocketed but the car was still decelerating. Shortly after coming to a stop, the car would then not go into gear at all.

When I arrived I found it the same, the car would start but wouldn’t go into any gear at all.

To get it off the dual carriageway I started it in gear and pulled it off the road.

After getting the car recovered home - the car will still start, but won’t go into gear. This is after it sitting for a few hours.

Reverse gear is a little different in that it moves freely, but there’s a grinding sound when trying to actually get it in gear. So I’ve not tried again since.

The clutch pedal isn’t on the floor and springs back, but definitely feels lighter than normal.

The brake pedal makes a ‘whoosh’ sound when depressed - so I’m assuming there is some sort of vacuum leak somewhere?

I checked the brake fluid reservoir and I can’t see anything in it from the outside - when I take the cap off the plastic filter/trap is wet, but I can’t see beyond that.

I’m going to book it in next week when my local garage are back open, but I just wondered if there was anything I could check over the weekend?

Just to add - the car has a lot of service history, but I can’t see the brakes ever having being serviced beyond pads and discs.

Any help would be much appreciated :)

Thanks in advance!

The car works out what gear you are in by the engine speed and the road speed.

ie with mine at 55 MPH and at 2000 RPM = 5th gear, and at 20MPH and at 2000 RPM = 2nd gear.

What milage is it on?

Sounds like a clutch issue?

Can you start the car in gear?

Be careful if you try this!

Thanks. AG Falco

Have you plugged in a VW appropriate scan tool to see what info that might give.

On 09/05/2025 at 18:49, AGFalco said:

The car works out what gear you are in by the engine speed and the road speed.

ie with mine at 55 MPH and at 2000 RPM = 5th gear, and at 20MPH and at 2000 RPM = 2nd gear.

What milage is it on?

Sounds like a clutch issue?

Can you start the car in gear?

Be careful if you try this!

Thanks. AG Falco

Ahh that makes sense about the gear indication!

It’s at 47k miles, it’s done about 8k since we’ve owned it.

I’m suspecting clutch is the issue, but I was hoping it might have been something more minor!

I did initially start it in gear to get it off the dual carriageway - having tried again more recently it now just ‘lurches’ and fails to start.

I’ve got someone coming to look at it this weekend so ill keep the thread updated

On 09/05/2025 at 20:53, nta16 said:

Have you plugged in a VW appropriate scan tool to see what info that might give.

Only a cheap OBD2 tool - not VCDS, but nothing came up at all. It’s been somewhat helpful previously in finding faults on my old octavia, aswell as clearing codes from the Fabia after a knackered battery.

VCDS isn't the only fruit available but you do need an appropriate level and to VW scan tool with the program for your model and year of car (or VIN). The scan tool needs to be up-to-date with that program and car 12v battery, and if appropriate scan tool battery, to be in reasonable state of charge, otherwise spurious readings and reports can be given. But of course it's just another diagnostic tool and not always the one to resolve issues but very useful and often necessary with modern cars with their complex intertwined computer systems and programs, yet the basics of diagnostics and repairs are still needed.

Just to update the thread - it was definitely the clutch!

Pictures attached :)

Thanks for your input guys, much appreciated!