car wont shift into 1st gear

anto2009

Merry xmas everyone

Ok i have a problem with my MK4 (same as pictue) seat cordoba won't shift into 1st gear at all but will shift into all others any help me out on how to check if its the linkage or would it be gear box?

Nissan doctor

anto2009 wrote: »

Merry xmas everyone

Ok i have a problem with my mk4 seat cordoba won't shift into 1st gear at all but will shift into all others any help me out on how to check if its the linkage or would it be gear box?

Is this with or without the engine running?

anto2009

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Is this with or without the engine running?

Sorry Nissan doctor with and without

couldntthink

What year is a Mk4? Not sure if there is such a thing? If it's a 1998 model it's prob the linkage. these cars have a very elaborate linkage set up. lots of parts to wear including a big plastic ball. Try pulling up the knob for reverse and just feel around and see if it will go into 1st.

anto2009

couldntthink wrote: »

What year is a Mk4? Not sure if there is such a thing? If it's a 1998 model it's prob the linkage. these cars have a very elaborate linkage set up. lots of parts to wear including a big plastic ball. Try pulling up the knob for reverse and just feel around and see if it will go into 1st.

2006 model

bcmf

I had a similar prob on 00 diesel Seat Alhambra.
there are 2 cables ,If I remember correctly, and one of the cables popped off from the 'controller' on top of the gearbox. I could reach in and pop it back on but needed to replace the joint.
Hope this is some help to you.

anto2009

bcmf wrote: »

I had a similar prob on 00 diesel Seat Alhambra.
there are 2 cables ,If I remember correctly, and one of the cables popped off from the 'controller' on top of the gearbox. I could reach in and pop it back on but needed to replace the joint.
Hope this is some help to you.

Thanks would it be the same on this model seat (petrol)

bcmf

Not sure tbh. They may have changed the system but if your gear stick feels sloppy for 1st and doesnt even try to engage 1st but you can select some other gears then maybe that is the problem.
If I remember correctly I could select 2nd 3rd and 5th but not the rest. These were the gears that were selected by the cable that was still connected.
If you can go and see if you can select any gear and report back.

anto2009

bcmf wrote: »

Not sure tbh. They may have changed the system but if your gear stick feels sloppy for 1st and doesnt even try to engage 1st but you can select some other gears then maybe that is the problem.
If I remember correctly I could select 2nd 3rd and 5th but not the rest. These were the gears that were selected by the cable that was still connected.
If you can go and see if you can select any gear and report back.

can select all gear apart from 1st

anto2009

can't see any cables that may have popped off

bcmf

With a smallish engine bay and low light it would be difficult to see and it may not be obvious that to the eye that it is off. Get your hands dirty and find the selector on top of the gearbox and have a good feel at the cables.
Mine was a knuckle and joint and the joint had worn sufficiently to let the ball on the end of the cable to pop out.

bcmf

When trying to select 1st is the gear stick getting some resistance or is there 'nothing'?

Nissan doctor

anto2009 wrote: »

can't see any cables that may have popped off

They are down under the battery tray on top of the box. As said, it might not be obvious that it has popped off if thats the case.

Strange that all other gears are working perfectly though.

bcmf

I would imagine it is the problem I have and the fact they cant get 1st but all the rest is prob just a change in design.

anto2009

Nissan doctor wrote: »

They are down under the battery tray on top of the box. As said, it might not be obvious that it has popped off if thats the case.

Strange that all other gears are working perfectly though.

http://www.mrosterman.com/images/vw/newShiftLinkage.png are they the linkages? one is moving around abit

anto2009

bcmf wrote: »

When trying to select 1st is the gear stick getting some resistance or is there 'nothing'?

getting nothing at all

bcmf

anto2009 wrote: »

http://www.mrosterman.com/images/vw/newShiftLinkage.png are they the linkages? one is moving around abit

Yes thats them.
And since one is moving a bit and you are getting nothing from the shifter then I would be fairly sure one has popped out.
What I did while waiting on the part to come was fashion a couple of cable ties to hold them to gether. Not too tight as you still need the knuckle and joint to have full movement.You may need to remove the battery and the tray to gain decent access.
I always carried spare cable ties in the car as the heat of the engine bay would weaken them and they would snap.
Its possible you can use your car without 1st just get plenty of practice taking off in 2nd.
Make sure you have reverse as this can get a tad embarrasing as you use reverse more then you realise.

Mar4ix

better go to garage, and ask them check out, wouldnt be more expensive than 20 - 30 euro

SouperComputer

If either of the linkage cables popped off you would likely loose more than one gear. You could re-adjust the cables and see if that nets you any gains. It's a pretty simple process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp9ggefOjAE

You can use a 4mm allen key to hold the gear lever in place.

anto2009

been messing with the linkage and its going into 1st but a bit stiff