unable to select reverse gear

[stan still]

Hi all
My Mrs has just arrived home without the car, which is a 04 plate 1.4. she says that she is unable to get the car into reverse. has anyone come across this problem before. It seems to be going into forward gears ok but because its parked facing a wall then she couldnt try the forward gears.. any ideas?

Cheers

Lee

[kenney]

Push it away from the wall

[stan still]

she was on her own so couldnt push it away from the wall last night!.pushed it away from the wall this morning... all forward gears working ok. unable to select reverse gear when the engine is running and not running. Is this a known problem with the polo gearbox? i have read on other forums that these gearboxs are shocking and have often known to break easily... anyone got any views on this or what the problme might be?. any help would be appreciated.

[kenney]

If the forward gears are working then there is nothing wrong with the clutch,i imagine it has something to do with the linkage or adjustment,you need to get someone to operate the gear stick and look at the linkage to see what is happening

[fourringsrus]

Just trying to help here,my 95 Audi coupe was doing something very similar recently,just wouldn't go into 3rd ,turned out the selector pivot bolt was loose, it actually looked like an oil filler bung on the side of the gearbox.
Don't know about polo boxes but may be worth noting

[stan still]

Thanks for that suggestion fourringsrus... i will have a look at the pivot bolt... Update***
I drove the car today first chance ive had and when i put the car in reverse it selects first gear and when i select 2nd gear it goes into 4th so it seems if the whole gear stick mechanism has shifted to the left. I cant get 5th gear at all. Does this sound familier to anyone ...?

any help or ideas would be appreciated..

[Crasher]

It sounds like a simple linkage issue, as Kenny said it will need the cable end linkage inspecting from inside the engine bay whist someone operates the lever from inside. Hopefully the problem will be with the selector lever on top of the box.

[stan still]

Thanks crasher... ive looked at the linkage whilst its being operated inside the car but it all looks fine as far as i can tell. the linkage is in place, nothing snapped or sheared... not sure what i should be looking for though.
Also one thought could it be a problem with the mechanism at the base of the gear stick? cus the gear stick feels really baggy and loose, but cant check it without taking off half the centre console!