[sarahthegemini]

I have a vauxhall corsa (an 11-plate) and recently I've noticed that occasionally when I change from 1st to second, or sometimes when I'm trying to put it into reverse, it sort of 'sticks' and it's quite a challenge to change gears. I asked my Dad and he seems to think it's my imagination, and I have recently had it serviced (about a week ago) and everything was classed as fine, so I don't know what the problem could be, can anyone shed light on this?

[*Interrobang*]

I have a corsa (11 reg too) and I sometimes find this, altho it's mostly going into 3rd that I have issues if I do

[sarahthegemini]

(Original post by *Interrobang*)
I have a corsa (11 reg too) and I sometimes find this, altho it's mostly going into 3rd that I have issues if I do

Ah, do you think it could be a manufacturers fault or something? I never had this problem when I was learning (which I did in a Peugot - not sure that's spelt right) It doesn't seen to cause me great problems it's just a bit irritating, especially if i'm trying to put it into reverse (to back into a bay for example) and have to faff about whilst someone's waiting

[*Interrobang*]

(Original post by sarahthegemini)
Ah, do you think it could be a manufacturers fault or something? I never had this problem when I was learning (which I did in a Peugot - not sure that's spelt right) It doesn't seen to cause me great problems it's just a bit irritating, especially if i'm trying to put it into reverse (to back into a bay for example) and have to faff about whilst someone's waiting

No idea, I'm not an expert on cars! I learned in a Corsa, but I never had problems with that one. It was a diesel, so I don't know if that makes a difference

[frankieboy]

Worth checking the clutch adjustment

[frankieboy]

http://www.allcorsa.co.uk/forums/sho...tch-6387.html?

Not suggesting you attempt this yourself, but this is the kind of thing I'm talking about. As the plate wears down with clutch use, it needs compensating on the adjustment. If clutches are out of adjustment it tends to make it difficult to get into gear, crunching gears etc.

Not an expensive job by any means, no parts involved or anything like that.

[*Interrobang*]

(Original post by frankieboy)
Worth checking the clutch adjustment

How would you do that?

EDIT - you posted the previous one before I replied, so thanks

[frankieboy]

(Original post by *Interrobang*)
How would you do that?

If you don't know how to do it, I'd get a mechanic to do it as it's only an adjustment, so pretty cheap. You could always have a go yourself, but you always risk botching it up.

[frankieboy]

(Original post by sarahthegemini)
I asked my Dad and he seems to think it's my imagination

Why? Did he have a go and got it into gear ok? If he does it ok and you don't, it's you not the car. Are you sure that for example when you change from 1st to 2nd that you're kind of keeping it firmly to the left and not drifting out towards the centre slightly i.e. into sort of inbetween 2nd and fourth?
And reverse the same thing? I don't know what Corsas have, but for example are you pressing it down fully, moving it across fully? The other thing I always think about is it's worth letting the revs drop to idle before engaging into reverse, or you can get a crunch.

[JC.]

Having a car serviced doesn't make a damn bit of difference.
Chaning the engine oil and air filter will have zero impact on the gearbox!

Perhaps the synchro's are getting a bit tired or you're moving the gear lever before the clutch pedal has hit the floor?
Either way, it'd be a good idea to check the level of fluid in the clutch master cylinder if you have a hydraulic clutch or, if you have a cable clutch, make sure it's adjusted up propperly as they can strech a little over time.

[gbduo]

Its a 11 plate?

Dealer the both of you and get them to fix it under warranty.

[mphysical]

It could be the clutch, but i think there would be other problems besides difficulty changing gear. (slipping, grinding)
It sounds like the selector, this is the linkage between gear stick and gearbox.
The guide may have slipped or something come loose.

[frankieboy]

(Original post by gbduo)
Dealer the both of you and get them to fix it under warranty.

That's what I'd shoot for first, if it was my car... you might want to be careful of invalidatig the warranty by getting it done by someone else. Not sure what your warranty states in that respect.

[sarahthegemini]

(Original post by frankieboy)
Why? Did he have a go and got it into gear ok? If he does it ok and you don't, it's you not the car. Are you sure that for example when you change from 1st to 2nd that you're kind of keeping it firmly to the left and not drifting out towards the centre slightly i.e. into sort of inbetween 2nd and fourth?
And reverse the same thing? I don't know what Corsas have, but for example are you pressing it down fully, moving it across fully? The other thing I always think about is it's worth letting the revs drop to idle before engaging into reverse, or you can get a crunch.

He did yeah, he said he didn't notice any problems, so it must be me. I rarely look at the gearbox whilst I'm changing gears as I know where each gear is, but now that you've said that, I'm beginning to think the problem must be that occasionally I'm not bringing/pushing it out far enough to slide into the correct gear easily. Ill keep an eye on this, and see if the 'problem' stops As I said in the OP, trying to get into reverse (and failing) doesn't happen regularly as such, usually when I'm feeling stressed/pressured so this could be what's effecting me.

(Original post by JC.)
Having a car serviced doesn't make a damn bit of difference.
Chaning the engine oil and air filter will have zero impact on the gearbox!

Perhaps the synchro's are getting a bit tired or you're moving the gear lever before the clutch pedal has hit the floor?
Either way, it'd be a good idea to check the level of fluid in the clutch master cylinder if you have a hydraulic clutch or, if you have a cable clutch, make sure it's adjusted up propperly as they can strech a little over time.

Ha, I thought a service meant they check everything?
It could be that I'm not always pushing the clutch down fully, so I will keep an eye on this too. I suppose I just never notice/pay attention so it could very well be why I sometimes struggle.

I'll pay extra attention to the issues you both mentioned and if nothing changes, I'll get the clutch/fluid in the clutch checked out - as I say, I know nothing about cars, so it will be taken to a garage if it doesn't improve

[chazilton]

(Original post by mphysical)
It sounds like the selector, this is the linkage between gear stick and gearbox.
The guide may have slipped or something come loose.

This guy is right.

The gear selector needs a tiny bit of adjustment. Either live with it (doesn't sound like it's too bad) or pop it into the garage to get adjusted, should take about an hour and be cheap. Probably even free if you take it back where you bought it.

[*Interrobang*]

Not sure what my warranty would be like, as I got it second hand from a dealer. It might just be me and my use of the gear stick, so I'll see how it goes and be more careful. It's due a service in July

[gbduo]

Its less than 3 years old. The warranty will definitely cover it. You are better off getting it sorted or taking it there sooner rather than later, it could be a common problem

[sarahthegemini]

(Original post by chazilton)
This guy is right.

The gear selector needs a tiny bit of adjustment. Either live with it (doesn't sound like it's too bad) or pop it into the garage to get adjusted, should take about an hour and be cheap. Probably even free if you take it back where you bought it.

(Original post by gbduo)
Its less than 3 years old. The warranty will definitely cover it. You are better off getting it sorted or taking it there sooner rather than later, it could be a common problem

Advice will be put into practice asap, thanks guys!

[lil.sam30]

My corsa does this as well (51 reg) going to have an mot and service next week so will hopefully get it sorted then.

I would defo say get it looked at sooner rather than later though coz my dads corsa did this the other month to the point he broke down (53 reg) he ended up needing a new selector coz it had been that damaged

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

[CurlyBen]

When you can't get into reverse, dip the clutch again, put the box into neutral, clutch up, then clutch down again and try and select reverse again. You need to do this if the cogs are out of mesh as there's no synchro on reverse. If that solves the problem for reverse and the problem only occurs when going from 1st to 2nd and never in the other gears my guess would be a faulty synchro - warranty time.