Technical Loose gear stick and stuck in first!

[SuperRhys1]

In November I purchased my first car, a 1996 Cinquecento S. Since I've bought it I've had nothing with problems, most of which have been a simple fix, but a few days ago something happened and I'm lost.

As I was pulling into a parking bay, I switched from second gear to first, heard a click and my gear stick became loose! The car is currently stuck in first gear, and starts fine (Aslong as the clutch is down). My gear stick is limp and just wobbles between third and fourth, it will not move side to side at all, even with the clutch down. I've had a look under the bonnet and located the cables/levers that come from the gear stick and nothing seems to be loose or broken.

I've read on other threads about a loose connection, but everything seems fine! Could this be a break in the cable? or something to do with the gear box? I'm clueless and need to get back on the road! What can I do to find the issue?

Any help would be very much appreciated, as I am completely stuck and don't really want to take it to a mechanic and pay money I haven't got if it will be a simple(ish) fix.

 

[fingers99]

Either the gear stick is broken at the base, one of the clips (2 in remote, 2 on the gearbox) has fallen off or the ball cups have come adrift on the selector box (top of gearbox).

I'd not completely rule out a snapped cable, but it's pretty unlikely.

If you're happy at the box end, check the remote (the gearstick end).

 

[SuperRhys1]

Thanks for replying so quickly. I'll be going to pick the car up tomorrow so I'll take a look.

Thank you

 

[Sir16v]

ive had this before,for me i heard a ping on roundabout then found myself stuck in third,one of the c clips of the gearbox part of the cable had ran away,got the cable in palce then fresh c clip and solved,just get the gearbox in neutral by hand before the clip goes in else its another fun hour fiddling,hope its sorted soon

 

[Exrayuk2000]

all the clips are attached at gearbox and gear stick .. ive tightened clutch cable to the point that it grates the cogs while trying to engage gear and set it back to origanal position .. the gear lever nearest the front of the car dont seem to be returning, but i cant check that until Rhys visits tomorrow. ... situation so far .. said lever if i pull it to the left whilst engine is off i can select neutral, and i can start engine and select first gear only but the car stays stuck in gear and i have to turn the engine off and reset it to neutral .. can anyone tell me if there is a return spring in the gearbox that might of snapped ??

 

[fingers99]

Have you looked under the gear lever, where it pivots? (The remote.)

 

[Exrayuk2000]

no not yet as im trying to fit my kitchen and look at his car inbetween the snowfall and rain showers lol, but he's calling over tomorrow lunch time and we can spend the afternoon on it .. but thank you for sugestion and it will be the first thing on the agenda tomorrow

 

[SuperRhys1]

Turns out it was a snapped cable! Replaced both cables and seems fine

Thanks for all of your help.