Won't go in gears

Hi all, I have a 1.8 GTI cabriolet 1991. Yesterday I went to it and thought I ll get it started and warm it up. Connected the battery turned the key and started up no problem. Then I went to move it forward and I couldn't get it in any gears what so ever. I could push the clutch in and when I go to change gears it makes a grinding noise. What could be the cause of this as it was working perfectly before parking up for winter and what's the best way sorting it out. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Sounds like the clutch plate has stuck/rusted on.

If you have plenty of clear room in front of the car, start it up and warm up the engine. Turn it off and place in 2nd gear. Make sure no one is front of the car and you have plenty of room to launch into, restart the car. With a bang the clutch should free itself.


 

Hi thanks for that I will try and see how I get on with that and let you guys know. Thanks again.

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Also be aware that the brakes may not be as good as it been standing.

Have you checked the cable is pulling up on the arm on the gearbox when you press the pedal?

Hi yes the lever and cable are moving freely

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Does it go into gear if the engine is off?

There is a way to 'free' the clutch if its stuck, I can't remember the details but it involves being a bit brutal with it in gear and towing it, or something like that. I could probably find an old video of a tractor clutch stuck, and freed, this way.

Hi no it doesn't go into gears whilst engine is off

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Greenmk1 said

Hi no it doesn't go into gears whilst engine is off

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Are you sure it won't go into any gear at all with the engine off? Your description of grinding noises sounds like it was trying to but with the clutch still engaged becasue it was stuck on.

Without the synchro working due to the engine being off it will be awkard to get some of the gears but you should be able to select most with a little effort.

If the clutch is rusted on the only way to fix it is to break it free by warming the engine and then restarting in gear or as Paul says bump starting it in gear, but both depend on you 1st being able to get it in gear with the engine off.

The only other way is to remove the gearbox and clutch

With the engine off, it should go into gear. If not it suggests a selector linkage issue.

The fact that you can grind the gears with the engine running suggests that your clutch is stuck.

Weird??? It's either one or the other usually?????

It could be the linkage is out of adjustment and its only half way there going into a gear. If it were just really loose, no gears would be selectable. If its out of adjustment, you might get only some of the gears eg 1 3 5 (not 2 4); or 3 4 5 (not 1 2), or something like that.

If you suspect the linkage then it can be put into gear by manually operating the linkage, disconnecting the linkage bits to the gearstick if necessary.

And its always possible there is an internal problem, eg a piece of selector fork or a tooth or two has come off within the gearbox. Sometimes the gearbox survives because it goes into a corner or is caught on a magnet(ic drain plug), sometimes it jams certain things or everything.