hi guys,

I'm having trouble with my fourth gear as I cannot select it at all (gear stick doesnt even move when trying to select the gear, both when engine is off and on).

A garage quoted me about £240 for the parts only from fiat and I'm considering swapping the whole gearbox.

Is there some kind of identification number to make sure I buy the correct gearbox? As i've been told that there are different versions for the same car. Or maybe other gearboxes fit from other cars like the Brava?

My car is a Fiat Bravo, year of manufacture 1999, engine 1.9TD 75SX

Thanks for your help

Before you rush out and spend ££££s on another gearbox, there is a common problem with 4th on these boxes. You get a buil-up of swarf inside the end casing. Take the casing off (easy) and clear it out. Catch the gear oil that will come out! Cost--£000

thanks for the reply.

so this build up of swarf will cause the symptoms I posted?


My problem happened suddenly ... I was driving and at a sudden I pressed the clutch to engage the 4th gear, the lever moved half way in and when I de-pressed the clutch, the gear lever went back to neutral. The 4th gear kept doing this for whole two weeks, and then one day I happened to try the 4th gear and it worked for one day only. Until then, when I try to select the 4th gear, the gear stick does not even move a little.

Yes because it physically obstructs the end of the 3/4 selector shaft. This may not be the answer but it's worth trying as this is a regular problem in this gearbox. (Alfa 147s suffer with it and it's basically the same box.)

Other people have cleaned it out as clutchman says and it works. Well worth a try.

seems like it is worth trying!

can you please tell me how to do it (which plate to remove) ? as I've never messed with the gearbox before

so in the last couple of days I did some research and got to know that it's a common problem with Alfa 147's too.. and saw this fix guide: http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_4th_gear.shtml

gave it a try and ... voila! gearbox is fixed and 4th gear is back to normal! There was some swarf inside the end casing which was interfering with the gears...

for those having same problems i really recommend trying this out first, saved me a lot of money.

tools needed:

2L gearbox oil
12mm alan key (to open/close filler and drain plug)
sockets to dismantle the casing (8mm sockets IIRC)
gasket sealent

thanks all for the help

Good Result