Citroen Relay struggling to get into reverse after long drive

[kitetraveller]

Hoping someone might have come across this; 2007 Relay PVC had a 4 hour drive back to home today. Stopped and went to engage reverse but the gear lever just would not go all the way to engage.

Turned van off, got out, walked around, got back started and still no joy. Turned engine off and managed to get it into reverse, then started van and was able to reverse.

Went back out to the van 4 hours later and I can get reverse again.

Any thoughts about possible cause, and solutions please? I could certainly do without that happening on a tightly packed Aire etc!

 

[Mikeco]

How about user error after driving for 4 hours, tired left arm and left leg.

 

[gus-lopez]

Clutch or clutch adjustment.

 

[BwB]

Have a look on YouTube for Citroën Boxer Ducato gear selector problems.



Sorted a problem I had on the previous van.

 

[kitetraveller]

How about user error after driving for 4 hours, tired left arm and left leg.

Badly written by me, the journey was not a solid 4 hours! Thanks for pointing it out though

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[kitetraveller]

Have a look on YouTube for Citroën Boxer Ducato gear selector problems.



Sorted a problem I had on the previous van.

Thank you, going to have a look over the weekend!

 

[kitetraveller]

Clutch or clutch adjustment.

That was my first thought, but it worked fine into first. I am going to try the WD40 and grease the linkages tip first, and see where that gets me.
Thanks for your thoughts on this.

 

[Landy Andy]

If it’s not adjustment I would change the gearbox oil, as that will be effected after the long drive, and see if that improves things.

 

[Minxy]

If it’s not adjustment I would change the gearbox oil, as that will be effected after the long drive, and see if that improves things.

That's my thought too ... if the oil is old, or has got overly hot it could have lost its viscosity and not lubricated the gearbox to allow selection of reverse which is usually a more difficult one to get into anyway.

 

[berni109]

I used to have difficulty engaging reverse but that problem was caused by the selector cable being too slack. At the gearstick end is an adjuster but it is a real pain to get at.
Take out the central dropdown glove box and unbolt the gearstick selector mechanism then you can get at the adjuster which on mine is a strange trigger type thing.
Just take out the slack which aligns the stick movement with the gearbox selectors.
It might have been easier if I could have figured out how to remove the lower dash Under the steering wheel

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[Geo]

I had exactly the same as you and it cost me Thousands of pounds for a new gear box

 

[kitetraveller]

I used to have difficulty engaging reverse but that problem was caused by the selector cable being too slack. At the gearstick end is an adjuster but it is a real pain to get at.
Take out the central dropdown glove box and unbolt the gearstick selector mechanism then you can get at the adjuster which on mine is a strange trigger type thing.
Just take out the slack which aligns the stick movement with the gearbox selectors.
It might have been easier if I could have figured out how to remove the lower dash Under the steering wheel

Thanks, certainly worth a look, and I think I know how to remove the lower dash; we had it out when installing a cruise control.

Cheers

 

[kitetraveller]

That's my thought too ... if the oil is old, or has got overly hot it could have lost its viscosity and not lubricated the gearbox to allow selection of reverse which is usually a more difficult one to get into anyway.

Thank you, as I mentioned, it only happened after a lot of driving, so I will find someone to change the gearbox oil.
Cheers

 

[kitetraveller]

If it’s not adjustment I would change the gearbox oil, as that will be effected after the long drive, and see if that improves things.

Certainly worth doing, just need to find someone to do this for me.
Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[kitetraveller]

I had exactly the same as you and it cost me Thousands of pounds for a new gear box

Lets hope its not that bad!!

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[Landy Andy]

When they/you drop the oil check it for colour and particles. That will indicate if the box is healthy or not. A fully synthetic oil will handle temps better than a mineral one, so fill with good stuff.

 

[kitetraveller]

When they/you drop the oil check it for colour and particles. That will indicate if the box is healthy or not. A fully synthetic oil will handle temps better than a mineral one, so fill with good stuff.

Gotcha, will do.

 

[berni109]

Make sure whoever does the change measures the exact amount of oil required.
There's no level plug or dipstick on the 2.2 engine

 

[kitetraveller]

Make sure whoever does the change measures the exact amount of oil required.
There's no level plug or dipstick on the 2.2 engine

Thanks Berni, will check how they propose doing the job.

 

[tonyidle]

If only reverse is affected I'd be much more inclined to check out linkage adjustment first of all.

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[Landy Andy]

I suggested the oil as I couldn’t understand why heat would effect the adjustment.

 

[kitetraveller]

Just a quick note to say thanks for the suggestions.

I had the oil changed, the level was slightly low apparently, but new synthetic oil in, and now have reverse gear!

The old oil was clear.

Reverse is a bit notchy, but it goes in, even when the geartrain has been run and everything is hot.

 

[tonyidle]

Lets hope its not that bad!!

He's in the trade. He was sucking his teeth when he said that .

 

[jimbob248]

My reverse and 5th gear especially were very sticky 5th would onlt engage aftre 55mph. Decided to waggle the stick more energetically, but pulled the top off spring pinged off and couldn.t find it but put the top back on NOW IT WORKS PERFECTLY

 

[Figaro]

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[gus-lopez]