Hi
Linkage let go in my local Tesco car park! Stuck in, I believe 2nd gear, I managed to get out of everyone's way. Diagnosed it was the linkage. Getting under the bonnet I found the levers on the top of the gearbox and was able to select neutral. I then got it into reverse by putting the lever into reverse position and then selecting a gear via the levers on the top of the gearbox. I maneuvered the van into a parking space and then went through the same procedure to select 2nd gear. I was then able to get home as its only a short distance.

I'm now waiting on a new set of cables which should arrive on Tuesday (this being Saturday).

Any clues, pointers or experience in doing the job would be very much appreciated. It's a 2010 2.0 multijet diesel, 6 speed with the stop/start option.

Thanks in advance.

How did you get on? I thought I had this problem the other day turns out I had plastic stuck in between the gear linkage. Having a look online seems like it is very common on Ducato vans

I contacted the Salisbury Fiat main stealer to be informed that it would be £220 approx for a new set of cables, fitting extra, and they would need to be ordered in, probably not here until the following Friday. Found a new set on eBay, £128, doctor_car. Ordered on Friday, received on Wednesday, fitted same day by a mobile mechanic friend.
It did involve having to remove the exhaust heat shield under the car, on top of the exhaust. I think he had to drop the exhaust to do this (just the front section to gain access). You also need to get some access around the gear lever by removing some trim, but it's not that difficult.

The diagnosis was a cable that had broken off at the gearbox end. It was the gear selector, not the the 'plane' selector cable.