No first gear

[idlerider]

Off to the office this morning but at the second junction, it decided not to go into first gear - lever would go so far and no further. After a bit of fiddling, I've discovered that keeping gentle pressure on the lever and carefully releasing the clutch until the gears just start to mesh and make a noise, lets it go in OK. Obviously this isn't a viable solution, so does anyone have any ideas as to the cause? Thoughts appreciated.

[mikeloadsasaabs]

I didn't have these systems, but I did have a damaged gearchange linkage on my 1999 9-5 which my specialist replaced. Could be that moving the gearlever isn't doing the biz with regards to the gearbox?

[stevetreacy]

Hi,

Can you select all other gears with no issues both when stationary and travelling? Any unusual noises once in 1st gear? Let me know and I will try and point you in the right direction.

steve

[idlerider]

Can you select all other gears with no issues both when stationary and travelling? Any unusual noises once in 1st gear?

The lever's always felt like a stick in a bucket of rubber bands (a la Austin 1800) but yes, all other gears select easily. I do get the well-known problem getting fifth very occasionally but it always goes in second attempt. And no unusual noises.

[Steve440]

I had a similar problem with 3rd on my car, I tried some snake oil additive that seemed to help so I drained all the oil out and was surprised to find only half the amount in the gearbox that should be. I refilled it with the correct amount and now the change is 100% perfect.

No obvious leaks and after 3500 miles the gear change is still great.

Steve

[mikeloadsasaabs]

I didn't have these systems, but I did have a damaged gearchange linkage on my 1999 9-5 which my specialist replaced. Could be that moving the gearlever isn't doing the biz with regards to the gearbox?

Doh, that should have been "symptoms", not "systems" 

[idlerider]

OK - plan is to take it to the indy this week, have him check the linkages, drain the oil and refill it with GM 93165290 (MTF0063). Fingers crossed - will report findings.

[idlerider]

OK - oil drained and refilled but garage says first gear synchro is gone - first they've ever known - repair £1.5-2K. However, on the way home I suddenly realised I'd changed into first at a roundabout without a murmur. Since then I've found that if I pump the clutch a couple of times, it goes into first with no problem. Could this be a clutch, rather than gearbox, problem?

[Steve440]

If its going into 1st OK with a couple of pumps of the pedal it could be the problem. It might be worth bleeding the clutch.

I found it took a few miles before my gear selection came back after I changed the oil. Now after a few thousand miles it is 100 perfect for a car with 125,000 on it.

Steve

[handjammer]

How odd - today I have lost the use of 2nd gear - after a conversation with Neo's this afternoon I have ordered a new clutch kit. Having read this thread I will also ask my mechanic to replace the gearbox oil too.

I'll also try pumping the clutch tomorrow as all other gears work fine. I am seriously hoping the problem isn't more sinister - if I'm facing a £1.5 - 2k rebuild then I will have to get rid of the car!

[Audax]

Why would you have to get rid of the car, it won't be worth much with a broken gearbox and if you have it repaired then you've got a shiny new gearbox. Anyhow, it won't be as much as that, just get a decent second hand box put in, box shouldn't be more than £300 and fitting shouldn't be much more than £300 either.

[idlerider]

Clutch being bled tomorrow am - we'll see.... I've been quoted £900 for a refurbished, guaranteed box and £600 for fitting - plus £4-600 for a clutch and fitting.

[Audax]

Clutch being bled tomorrow am - we'll see.... I've been quoted £900 for a refurbished, guaranteed box and £600 for fitting - plus £4-600 for a clutch and fitting.

That sounds... rather too expensive, £900 for a refurb box is OK, but if you're talking £600 to have the box fitted (and that's a bit on the high side) then there should be no extra labour for fitting the clutch at the same time and the genuine Saab clutch kits are about £200-£250 including vat.

[Steve440]

Clutch being bled tomorrow am - we'll see.... I've been quoted £900 for a refurbished, guaranteed box and £600 for fitting - plus £4-600 for a clutch and fitting.

I suggest you shop around a bit, as Audax has said that sounds very expensive. I was quoted about £500 for a box and a good quality pattern part clutch is less than £200. I would avoid the specialist transmission centers that are around and maybe go to a local garage.

Where abouts are you? maybe ask on here for some recommendations?

Steve

[idlerider]

Update: local garage didn't bleed the clutch - said there was no sign of a leak anywhere - like the indy, they also suspected the synchromesh clutch. Good news is that after the change of oil, it's increasingly starting to engage first without fuss, so I'm hoping to match Steve440's experience. (BTW Steve, I'm 50 miles north of Inverness - not quite on the edge but you can see it from here.)

Thanks to everyone who commented on a worrying problem - greatly appreciated.