No Gears - Stuck In Neutral

[davewill]

Not sure if this has been covered before, but had a problem getting car (1.9 TDI Zetec 2002) into gear.

 

Engaged clutch which seemed OK, but gear knob would not get any gear, seemed almost jammed in neutral.

 

I then felt with my left foot, that clutch pedal seemed lower to the floor, so put my foot under it and pushed it up

 

Suddenly gears were all there, and i drove the car to Wales and back (approx 200 miles) with no probs at all.

 

Any thoughts on this, and if say a cylinder problem, costs associtaed :D

 

Thanks

[seatkid]

master or slave cylinder problem..... costs definifetly associtaed! :D

[Neils TDi again]

The concentric slave cyliner it self is about Edited September 3, 2007 by neil_wiles

[tim-spam]

I did my own so no cost but it is not a DIY solution believe me.

A slight contradiction in terms??

[Neils TDi again]

Tim

 

I am a mechanical engineer who restores cars and writes training instructions for maintenance technicians and has twenty years plus experience.

 

So as I say probably not a DIY change. However two engineers and a Tea maker can manage it in about 8 hours along with all the support tools.

[tim-spam]

DIY or not depends entirely on who's doing the job. If and when mine needs a new clutch, I will definitely do it myself. After all, the bigger the job, the more likely it is that a dealer will screw up - I speak from experience. In addition, when tackling something like a clutch change, the purchase of a few special tools, if necessary, will be paid for several times over when set against paying a dealer.

 

Many people find the amount of dismantling required for some of the larger jobs somewhat daunting, but if you take jobs like this step by step, and consider each step as a small job, then it becomes much less so. In general, I have found the Alhambra a fairly easy car to work on - so far.

 

By the way, the problem with the clutch actuation could also be related to the clutch master cylinder, which is much easier to replace. Try to look for signs of leaking brake fluid from the bellhousing - if there is none, then look at the master cylinder - you may be lucky.

Edited September 3, 2007 by tim-spam

[Neils TDi again]

Got to agree with Tim if the leak is indeed in the master cylinder which according to ALLEN ford there has been a known issue with, then a cheaper repair is indeed in the offing.

 

But on another note if you want any pointers Tim I have recorded as much as I could onto digital video of the clutch change. And I will br writing up a post for here once i get my hands clean, :D :D <_<

[big_kev]

Tim

 

However two engineers and a Tea maker can manage it in about 8 hours along with all the support tools.

 

Tea maker........?

 

Hope your wife doesn't read this. <_<

[mumof4]

Blimey..if i ever got called a Tea maker..id smack the bugger who called me it over the back of the head with a shovel.....such a derogatory term!!...

 

Want a tea maker..go to currys/argos etcc and buy one.LOL.

 

Tim -Spam is correct though..the bigger the job the more daunting..but at least you will know that if it gets ballsed up then its your fault rather than a garage messing it up and blameing it on something else..plus the satisfaction of doing it yourself aswell..should make no difference as to what level of experience you have as you have to learn somehow.

 

My cambelt needs doing on my veccy..and its a lot harder than doing it on the Gal....but im reading up on it and will attempt it myself.....if i mess up..then thats my prob and i will sort it eventually.lol.

[davewill]

Thanks for your advice

 

I have this morning had to take it straight into the local Fraud dealer, as the Red Brake warning light started flashing, and the beeper sounded at regular intervals

The Handbook suggests this is due to low brake fluid level, and as i believe the clutch and brakes share the same fluid, it is obviously leaking somewhere ;)

 

I'm not hopeful of a "low cost" repair, as i have never had one yet

 

Also decided that now is the time to trade it in (2002 model with 82,000) as i do around 20,000 a year

 

Will stick with the Gal or varient (Sharan, Albrahama) as i do like the car overall, plus the flexibility it offers

 

Will post about the results of the current problem

[seatkid]

Hey, if someone replaced my clutch for nowt, I'd glady make the tea and they even could call me a barsteward once or twice.... ;)

[gregers]

maz put the kettle on and make us all a brew will you,theres a good lass ;)

[davewill]

OK

 

Good and Bad news

 

Good News

 

Firstly no gears = cable come off underneath, so this has been replaced ;)

 

Bad News

 

Red brake warning light = New Disk pads and new disks required on front :lol:

 

Total price