Hi,

Im new to all of this and was wondering if someone could help me out or at least give me a few ideas/pointers!?

Just recently I have had problems in putting my car into first gear, its pretty stiff and at points almost feels like its not actually going to get in! Has anyone else came across this problem? if so have you any ideas that can help?

I intially thought this may be the clutch but surely this would effect all gears!?

I have a Punto 1.2, 2001.

many thanks

Darren

it could be because its cold :idea:.

my stilo was a pain in the ass this morning when i reversed out of my space and tried to slot it into 1st straightaway, and it wouldnt go. a bit of declutching sorted it though

welcome to the forum BTW

Hi, welcome to the FF

Like JF-L says, could be just because it's cold, so don't panic just yet! After that, could be clutch adjustment (not sure if it's possible on a Punto), clutch fluid level (again, not sure if that applies to a Punto), gear linkages or clutch wear. Gearbox problem is the least likely, unless it's run dry! Get yourself down to the Punto section, I'm sure you'll find someone more helpful than me down there...

thanks for your help.

Darren

Hello mate and WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

Is it difficalt to get into 1st when your at a standstill or when moving, say going from 2nd into first?

Cheers,
Alan

Could be as said needs warming up. All gearboxes are stiffer when cold due to the nature of the oil. Other things to bear in mind is Gearbox oil level, Make sure there's no leaks etc especially from the Diff/Driveshaft linage (can be quite common). If thats ok may be a worn syncro mesh (especially if second gear is stiff as well and sometimes crunches).

hey there, i have same problem when it is cold it is worst for it, not too bad when its warm, its done 65k miles now early 2001 car so not exactly low miles for the year! its just had a new clutch though so cant see it being that...

Its difficult when trying to change it into gear standing still not as much when im down shifting. I have no problems with going into any other gear, although there seems to be sligh juddering when i go into reverse!

I have checked the brake/clutch fluid and the level seems fine, although i haven't changed the fluid since I got the car which is about a year and 3
months ive heard this could be a problem!?

admittedly the problem has just started within the past 2/3 weeks or so, so the cold may be a factor, however, it has been cold for nearly 2 months now. Is this problem liable to happen over night as such?

if you want to be sure just get everything checked over by a garage

cold could be a factor, or it could be something more serious

From what you have described so far I really don't think its the clutch. Does it crunch going into reverse once comming to a complete stop and pushing the clutch as far as it goes?. If not sounds like your clutch is doing its job.

And is it still only first gear or all gears?. I think its your gearbox that needs the attention unfortunatly .

mine is bad at the moment when cold but when it's warm it fine

go on google and learn to double de clutch if it's a problem when moving

but if it's not going in at a standstill then there is a problem

I have simular problems
just feel like its hitting somthing liek the gear teeth?
i just raise cluch a little and let it go in or 4th then 1st or somthing like that.

daz_rich said:

I have simular problems
just feel like its hitting somthing liek the gear teeth?
i just raise cluch a little and let it go in or 4th then 1st or somthing like that.

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not quite the gears are in constant mesh

it' not hitting anything and it's not a faulty or broken part it's the syncro ring not allowing you the gear untill the speeds of the shafts are synchronised

if you have ever tried to select a gear without pressing in the clutch wile stationary you'll notice it wont let you do it no matter how hard you push the gear knob you will brake the gear linkage first or stall the engine

that's basically the force your trying to overcome when you find it hard to select a gear when cold so either try and select lower gears at the last posible moment reducing the braking work the syncros have to do before allowing the gear to select for example trying to stick it in second over 30mph is a no go when cold

the same applys for first at anything over 10 but you should only select first when the car is stationary

or learn to double de clutch then you can do whatever you like when it's cold or warm stick it in second at 70mph if you practice first at 40 anything is posible without any resistance atall

and ps
don't lift the clutch when it resists if you connect a heavy engine to one end of the situation wile the vehicles weight is connected to the other via the wheels with a gear that ain't yet fully selected there's no telling the damage you can do seriously

I sometimes try and put it into first from second and it won't let me because the car is moving to quick for the gear!

you should try some vauxhall gearboxes

all the ones i have driven if you are coming upto a juntion or roundabout, and fully stop, and go to change into 1st gear, it locks you out of it sometimes and wont let you

i some times use i guess what you mean by double clutching using gears to slow down at speeds
but since fuel price increase i aim for hills or use my breaks

daz_rich said:

i some times use i guess what you mean by double clutching using gears to slow down at speeds
but since fuel price increase i aim for hills or use my breaks

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when the engine is reving higher than the intended power it stops injecting so the more engine braking you use the less fuel you use and you save wear on the brakes

so it's win win

double de clutching is not all about engine braking it's just useful for putting the car into lower gears without any resistance from cold or worn syncros and also makes a cool noise and smother down ****s

with practice you can change gear without the clutch at all without any problems or grinding of syncros

littlepip17 said:

when the engine is reving higher than the intended power it stops injecting so the more engine braking you use the less fuel you use and you save wear on the brakes

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Yeah, fuell inertia shut off switch does the job of shutting off the fuel being injected and therefore saves petrol. Only when revs hit below lets say abbout 1000 rpm, fuel is being injected again, so you acctually dont save petrol if you drive downhill in neutral, it's better to put it in highest appropriate gear

littlepip17 said:

with practice you can change gear without the clutch at all without any problems or grinding of syncros

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I did this in the army while I was driving trucks from 1960's, double clutch wasnt a must when putting in higher gear, you could just 'wait' for the right moment to put it in next gear, no clutch at all was also possible if youre skilled
But when putting in lower gear, what you MUST do was push a clutch, put it in neutral, let go of the clutch, rev on accelerate pedal, press the clutch, and then while its reving down, in the specific moment....lower gear
It was a science I tell ya, but after few days it becomes second nature...

oktopod said:

Yeah, fuell inertia shut off switch does the job of shutting off the fuel being injected and therefore saves petrol. Only when revs hit below lets say abbout 1000 rpm, fuel is being injected again, so you acctually dont save petrol if you drive downhill in neutral, it's better to put it in highest appropriate gear



I did this in the army while I was driving trucks from 1960's, double clutch wasnt a must when putting in higher gear, you could just 'wait' for the right moment to put it in next gear, no clutch at all was also possible if youre skilled
But when putting in lower gear, what you MUST do was push a clutch, put it in neutral, let go of the clutch, rev on accelerate pedal, press the clutch, and then while its reving down, in the specific moment....lower gear
It was a science I tell ya, but after few days it becomes second nature...

Click to expand...

no the fuel inersia cut off switch just cuts the fuel when you crash

i'm just being technical now:devil::slayer:

i now perfectly well what you meant it's just bad wording

littlepip17 said:

no the fuel inersia cut off switch just cuts the fuel when you crash

i'm just being technical now:devil::slayer:

i now perfectly well what you meant it's just bad wording

Click to expand...

Cool I didnt know that... it sounded like I explained "fuel INERTIA CUT OFF"
Am I 100% right abbout everything else, cause the point is more important? Thnx...