Problem with Corsa Utility bakkie gear selector

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vicci

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Hi guys, first time poster

My corsa bakkie 1.4 2001 developed an issue two days ago where at first it would struggle to get into first gear ( wouldn't engage and would not deliver power unless i put it into the reverse position by lifting up the tab) and now is stuck in reverse with the gear stick being unable to engage any of the gears and flops around. I did some research and found that a common problem that may fit its description would be an issue with the gear selector rod being damaged but I inspected it and found it not broken although the rod (plastic) does swivel on the ball joints which im sure is normal. Is there anyone who has had the same problem or can offer me any advice? the engine was serviced a few months ago as the gasket had been replaced so I'm not sure if the assembly may have anything to do with it (still under guarantee).

tl;dr bakkie not able to change gears, gear stick flops around, stuck in reverse gear, cant be put into neutral as it still reverses.

Thanks, if a video demonstration would be better to understand the problem I would be happy to post one.
 
This sounds like issues with the gear linkage.. while it may look intact, out of tolerance movement on joints within the gear linkage you would not be able to pickup just by looking at it and would cause your issue..
 
It is the linkages, it should have two cables, one controlling the odd gears and one does the even gears, there will be reverse in there somewhere. It is usually the plastic brackets that snaps, the one that enable the tension for the cable to shift into gear, when the bracket break there is no more tension that's why your gear stick is flopping about.

It's the things that are labelled 2 on the attached picture.
 

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thechamp said:
It is the linkages, it should have two cables, one controlling the odd gears and one does the even gears, there will be reverse in there somewhere. It is usually the plastic brackets that snaps, the one that enable the tension for the cable to shift into gear, when the bracket break there is no more tension that's why your gear stick is flopping about.

It's the things that are labelled 2 on the attached picture.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply, is this something that can be relatively easily replaced? or should i have a mechanic do it, would like to save money where I can
 
vicci said:
Thanks for the reply, is this something that can be relatively easily replaced? or should i have a mechanic do it, would like to save money where I can
Click to expand...
It should not be rocket science, it is at the end of the day a routing of cables, hooking them where they should be hooked and having the gear lever in synch with the shifting mechanism.

I have never done it before, had one of the linkage brackets break some time ago, the one for gear 2&3, I improvised a plan and never got around to fixing it properly. Buy the linkage, try it, if it doesn't work out take it to the mechanic. It's a straightforward mechanical system, you can figure it out.
 
Are there no gears that engage? It would be such bad luck if both cables were to have issues at the same time, it is usually one of them and you should still be able to get some gears.
 
thechamp said:
Are there no gears that engage? It would be such bad luck if both cables were to have issues at the same time, it is usually one of them and you should still be able to get some gears.
Click to expand...
none engage, it remains in reverse while the lever flops around. i can push it from 3 to 1 and from 4 to 2 if i move it horizontally whereas normally there would be resistance
 
vicci said:
none engage, it remains in reverse while the lever flops around. i can push it from 3 to 1 and from 4 to 2 if i move it horizontally whereas normally there would be resistance
Click to expand...
Can't you try and move it out of reverse from the gearbox shifting mechanism?
Were you able to see where the issue is on the linkages?
 
Get somebody inside the car to move the gear lever around while you look for anything moving under the bonnet, I'm pretty sure a linkage has come adrift.
 
thechamp said:
Any news? The Ford guy has come right, https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/ford-figo-gearbox-dissenged.1031975/

Please don't let us down Opel guy.
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So i found the problem, the little plastic socket (grommet) that holds the selector to the gearbox (i think thats whats it connected to) fell out, i later found it and found the plastic teeth on it worn out. Too bad these essential parts are literally chocolate tier reliability. A big thank you to thechamp (you are THE CHAMP) and waslayer for their help. Asked my dad to give me a hand, I've never seen him so excited to do something with me so it was a bonding experience too lmao.
 

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Cool, glad you came right. Sometimes I think the manufacturers do this on purpose, some of the parts look so low quality. I see yours is 2001, does it use the cable for the clutch or is it hydraulic? The clutch pedal is another problem waiting to happen if it hasn't already.
 
thechamp said:
Cool, glad you came right. Sometimes I think the manufacturers do this on purpose, some of the parts look so low quality. I see yours is 2001, does it use the cable for the clutch or is it hydraulic? The clutch pedal is another problem waiting to happen if it hasn't already.
Click to expand...

Indeed, the little plastic sleeve on the pedal usually gets warn by the steel crimp on the cable, I had endless problems and eventually just made my own out of steel.
 
You can perhaps try a Goldwagen shop for the parts, the quality is not too bad and they are cheaper than the agents.
 
thechamp said:
Cool, glad you came right. Sometimes I think the manufacturers do this on purpose, some of the parts look so low quality. I see yours is 2001, does it use the cable for the clutch or is it hydraulic? The clutch pedal is another problem waiting to happen if it hasn't already.
Click to expand...
im not sure but the clutch has been replaced and still under workmanship guarantee so if there is any issue im sure it can be sorted
 
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