Fiesta 1.4 tdci not engaging gears

[kiethton]

Out of warranty fiesta isn't engaging gears, anyone know the likely problem is?

I know it's not a lot of info to go on, but any comments on previous experience and cost very welcome

Edited by kiethton on Wednesday 17th October 00:00

[john2443]

Is it manual?

In what way not engaging? Assuming it's manual, when the clutch is down will it go into gear or is that the problem that it won't go in?

[Zad]

Clutch cable / release failed? Gearbox internals detonated? Gear linkage detached? Difficult to know without seeing it. May cost 50 quid, may cost 500.

[tex200]

low clutch fluid if it's not a cable clutch?

carpet stuck under clutch pedal?

[wombat172a]

Does it go into gear when the engine is turned off (without using the clutch)?

If so likely to be a problem with the clutch, otherwise likely to be the box itself.

A problem I had the other day was that after driving through a lot of puddles the friction plate / flywheel got wet (presumably through the breather hole). There was then a small amount of rust that built up between the friction plate and the flywheel meaning that the clutch wouldn't release.

Solution was to put it in gear with the engine off, and then try and start it. This broke the rust buildup between the two surfaces and the car could be driven again.

[j44esd]

Sister in law had the same issue on a 1.4tdci Fusion, my initial thought was slave/master cylinder - but it turned out to be the clutch - apparently quite common, so would be my first point of call on that engine combo.

[lescombes]

More than likely Shift arm's nylon bushes dry, that is IF it is stiffness not allowing to engage gears

THIS guide from the ST forum may help....

1. Remove both plastic covers where the gear cables go tho the box. One will unclip off, the other requires 4x 8mm bolts to be unscrewed.

2. With both covers removed, press the button on the selector cable, and withdraw it from the ball joint on the selector shaft. Pull the shift cable off the shank on the shift arm(held on by a rubber bush, just pulls off).

3. Remove both cables from the bracket(the outer cable has a twist release mechanism, twist it and pull the cable from the bracket).

4. Now remove the spring E-clip holding the shift arm on it's pivot shaft, being carefull not to let it flirt off anywhere and loose it.

5. Carefully withdraw the shift arm off the pivot shaft, it will probably be extreamly tight(thus the problem). Try rocking it side to side and pulling it at the same time, eventually it will come off. The fact that it's that tight, is the root of the problem. Dont worry about the ball joint/bush of the shift arm that slots into the end of the selector shaft - it justs slides in and out(carefully stretch the boot of the ball joint over to allow removal).

6. With the shift arm removed, unscrew the pivot shaft from the gearbox, 22mm spanner fittment, be carefull not to damage the box.

7. The nylon bushes in the shift arm require reaming, or ever so slightly enlarging, i just used a drill with a drill bit the size as close as i could get to the diameter of the pivot shaft. Keep working the bushes until the pivot shaft slides nicely inside, being carefull not remove to much material from the bushes.

8. Once you are happy with the feel of the pivot shaft inside the shift arm(smooth), clean everything up and pack the shift arm bushes with plenty of grease/lube(i used copper slip). Screw the pivot shaft back into the box and tighten.

[kiethton]

Thanks for all the help guys, will try and get some more info

Worst case I guess it's a new gearbox (£250 from breakers) and can't be more than same again to fit, although my mums older 1.4 had the same issue which turned out to be a broken clipping the pedal footwell fixed for pennies.