Hey so I'm new to this site and infact cars, so please forgive me if this sounds so basic.
Got my first car a punto grande off of my sister about six months ago and recently it has been extremely hard to get it into fifth gear. It feels really loose and sometimes takes a while to find the right slot as the stick tends to go far too much towards the right!
Hope someone can give me some insight because it's quite worrying when it takes a couple of go's to get it in gear!

Can you engage 5th with engine off ?

Yes it does engage while the engine is off

Could be a clutch issue. Mileage ?

Can you engage reverse with engine running (car stopped) without grinding the gear ?

Well we did have the clutch replaced in September because it was worn down. It's got 65000 miles on it (clutch changed at around 60000). When in reverse it will grind occasionally but more often be completely smooth

If the clutch is ok, disengages fine ( bite point not low, no grinding gears stopped), gearbox oil is fresh etc then there is a problem with the gearstick or the cables. (maybe that's why you have this loose feeling, searching for the slot).

Hi, I am having a similar problem although to me it feels as though you haven't engaged into 5th gear but you have, gear stick is very loose...almost sloppy like, with first and second very far to the left and third and fourth very close.
Any suggestions....I believe the clutch was changed not so long ago.

Hello, if anyone still has this problem have a look under your gaiter, there may be a white clip that has fallen off the reverse selector section that is letting the stick move too far over, see photos.

My Punto is doing this and the white spacer is in place, could it be worn?
I’m struggling to find this a part you can buy any idea where I could get one from

bodie37 said:

My Punto is doing this and the white spacer is in place, could it be worn?
I’m struggling to find this a part you can buy any idea where I could get one from

Click to expand...

I glued another plastic piece on the white spacer which prevent moving gear stick to much to the right side, and now engaging 5th gear perfectly.

Turned out it was the gear linkages. Notice an old receipt that came with the car for replacement linkages. Got them adjusted and the gear changes are now very smooth, has tranformed the car