Cannot engage 5th

[UpTheIron]

Just lost 5th...no warning signs, no crunching, no jumping out of gear, but now can't engage 5th 9 times out of 10. When it does engage all is well.

Recent(ish) clutch, all other gears fine. Won't engage whether engine running or not, and jams just short of slipping into gear with the clutch depressed.

Syncromesh?
Circlip holding 5th on? (I'm guessing not, otherwise it would still "engage" but just get no drive?)
Something else that doesn't require taking the gearbox out?

[x 7usc]

could be as simple as loose linkage, as this happens over time (as mine did) you dont notice it, does your gear lever feel sloppy like an old car or tight and precice and spring back nicely to N position

[UpTheIron]

Feels as tight, precise and springy as it ever has. Just had the centre console etc off to check there is nothing fouling the gearshift...no such luck, so it appears to be something more expensive to fix that will require the box dropping.

Edited by UpTheIron on Saturday 20th February 19:51

[G20RG B]

I had exactly the same problem with my Tuscan a few years ago.
Gearbox had to come out and If I remember correctly £700 was removed from my wallet!!!some thing to do with the circlip and putting the car into 5th gear before engaging reverse.