Hi I have a 1999 TD 125 recently had the timing belt changed but when driving home two nights ago the gear selector stopped returning to the middle of the gate and I had to be careful selecting third. Stopped at a shop and now gearbox will only select 1 to 4, no 5th or reverse.

Had a local garage look at it but he was really reluctant to drop the gearbox out as he is not familiar with it and didn't want the car stuck in his little garage.

Has anyone got any ideas? Am I looking at a massive bill or is there something simple to look for, the RAC man checked the linkages in the engine bay and they are all connected and fine, will the gearbox have to come out to check further?

I am reluctant to scrap this car as it so rare now and still under 59000 miles for fifteen years old, drives superbly and very economical hitting 50 mpg on steady drives to and from work.

Sure its not just the linkages?

If it has cables, the sleeve might have come off either in the gearbox or stick end.
If it has linkages, bad balljoint or maybe engine/gearboxmount has failed and tilted the gearbox so the linkages bind.

Take the battery tray off and try selecting the gears by hand or have someone watch the gearbox end then different gears are selected.

I have replaced shiftfork in a combine while gearbox still in place, doubt that works with cars.

Thanks Neverth it was actually the base of the gear lever which had managed to work loose from the gear linkage and it is now back to delightful normal