Won't go into gears!! advice needed.

[M2 J]

It happened yesterday when I was driving home, the road ahead was closed, was doing about 40mph in 4th gear and I shifted into second and took a left turn quickly at the next junction (only noticed the left turn last moment) and then tried to go into 3rd but it wouldn't go in! Had to call the RAC to tow it back home.

It did make a noise when I down shifted but nothing loaded than my engine.

Now today I found out that it won't go into reverse, 1st, 3rd and 5th. I have to push the gear stick in myself and hold it in for it to run in those gears. The reverse and 1st gears were stiff, required alot of strength to push and hold it in. However the car runs fine when I push and hold the gear stick in place.

2nd and 4th gear works fine.

Does anyone know what the problem might be?

Thanks.

[Wazzzer]

have you tried putting it into gears via the selector on top of the gearbox rather than the gearstick? Obviously only do this without the engine running lol

Also what model do you have

[Mr_Orange]

....obviously only do this without the engine running........

Amusing mental image, "some mothers do have em" style

[Wazzzer]

lol yes I had to add that

[M2 J]

Would that require me to open it up? I havn't tried that because I'm not that familiar with the gear parts and scared I might damage it even further lol.

I have the mkiv 1.6 8v petrol model.

I'm going to take it to a garage tomorrow to find the exact problem, I'll post it up on here once I find out.

[Wazzzer]

I have the mkiv 1.6 8v petrol model.

uh oh 

[T_J_G]

New gearbox time

[mac456]

are the gear boxes crap on this model then?

[T_J_G]

Yeah. Known to fail.

[richw911]

"chocolate box"