Whole New Gearbox Or Something Less Costly?

[BadHair]

Hi

I have a 1999 1.9tdi Galaxy, 168k miles young. Was driving like a dream until today, when it just stopped going into gear. I slowed down to first to navigate some potholes and it stalled. Restarted the engine and had to hold the stick in the first position to get it to move as left to itself it popped straight out. Same for all other gears, except reverse, which doesn't exist anymore (reverse lights don't even come on when stick held in position).

 

Managed to limp it to the nearest garage which was fortunately only half a mile away, using second gear and holding it in manually. Garage was shut (selfish really, I mean, it's only Sunday!) so I haven't had the pursed lips and head-shaking treatment yet, but I'd be really grateful if anyone has any suggestions so that I can be prepared for when I do get to speak to them tomorrow.

 

I've seen this topic:

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.ph...hl=new+gear+box

which is very similar to my problem but want to know if anyone has any other light to shed? I need to know what it might be, likely cost, and how long I'm going to be without my bus for.

 

Thanks.

[nigelbb]

It sounds very much like what has just happened to our 1997 Galaxy.

 

I have removed enough stuff inside the engine compartment to see that the gear selector (blue) cable has popped off the ball socket. The workshop manual discussion of removal/refitting makes it look like a hell of a job to fit for a start it involves removing both front seats!

 

There are plenty of other posts on the forum discussing similar problems down to one of the two cables becoming disconnected. Try using Search.

[veedyf]

if its cable change ...see if the bolt/nut in the engine has come loose.... i had a ibiza 2.0 16v which this happened to ....garage told me it was a new gearbox that was needed....

what did they know ...it was the nut ....it had vibrated loose and didnt help that i rammed it into gears all the time ..

myself i thought it was a new cable but that was fine .....1 way to check if it is the gearbox is fine is to manually put it into gear from the engine ....2 of you needed tho no point changing cable if the gearbox is shot

[BadHair]

Thanks for all replies. Just in case anyone finds this when searching and has the same problem - I have to admit that I left it in the garage's hands, having no option as I couldn't get the thing home. It was indeed a gearbox cable, or rather, two gearbox cables, and it set me back