Focus just lost all gears.. whats wrong?

matt100 · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:12

Basically just popped out and I was going round a roundabout and noticed the car felt odd.

Tried to pull away and realised I had no gears at all.

So when I'd pulled over I tested all the gears, it will full engage in all gears without any resistance or noise.

Still runs, revs fine and there was no suggestion this was going to happen, its never slipped in gear, I don't hoon it or anything..

56 plate standard focus st with 78k motorway miles on it..

My gut is telling me the clutch cable has gone because I had a 205 that did just this.. would I be right in thinking such a sudden loss of everything with no noise, knocking etc etc would point to that?

and if so.. how big a job is that?

TaKeN · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:13

If the clutch cable had indeed gone, then you'd notice it feel different when depressing it?

If It goes into gear.. without you pressing the clutch then something sounds a bit odd..

matt100 · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:16

true, my 205 clutch pedal used to drop onto the floor when it went.. ffs I could do without a pricey repair.

Clarkey · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:19

If you can get the lever all the way home in the gears with the engine on then the clutch cable hasn't snapped (although I'd be shocked if such a modern car didn't have a hydraulic actuated clutch).

matt100 · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:21

yes I can and actually I think it has got one of those.. so whats the diagnosis now?

MagicBoy · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:24

Driveshaft problem?

I had an old Jetta that snapped it's driveshaft bolts on one side with similar symptoms.

Slam62 · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:25

well it seems that the clutch is permanently dissengauged which doesnt normally happen. They normally fail engaged.

Slam62 · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:26

can you feel resistance on the clutch pedal

thepharcyde · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:28

Its hydraulic.

BigglesPiP · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:32

Clutch cable/hydraulics failing would prevent you from releasing the clutch.

Sounds like you've snapped something.

matt100 · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:43

Slam62 said:
can you feel resistance on the clutch pedal

nope.

matt100 · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:44

BigglesPiP said:
Clutch cable/hydraulics failing would prevent you from releasing the clutch.

Sounds like you've snapped something.

like what? it was completely fine and not a spirited drive until it just stopped doing anything going round a mini roundabout.

TaKeN · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:47

Driveshaft maybe?

Have you had a quick look under the front for anything dangling?

thepharcyde · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:47

MagicBoy said:
Driveshaft problem?

This a common weakness on the ST.

Have you heard knocking noises upto this point, on and of the gas?

matt100 · 15 Jan 2010 at 20:52

nope, no knocking noises, I would have noticed that.

thepharcyde · 15 Jan 2010 at 21:02

No idea then mate, off to Ford you go

Let me know the out come mind. I have mine booked in Feb for a service and some work that needs doing

matt100 · 15 Jan 2010 at 21:05

no no, off to tremona I go if I get my way.

I only really HAVE to have it back by thursday. Thats when I'm going to start killing stuff if I don't have it.

BigglesPiP · 15 Jan 2010 at 21:07

matt100 said:
like what? it was completely fine and not a spirited drive until it just stopped doing anything going round a mini roundabout.

So? Doesn't mean your any good with a clutch. Could have been on the verge of failure for weeks.

matt100 · 15 Jan 2010 at 21:22

no need for that mate I was asking a question.. I had a clutch die on me on an old car many years ago and I know what a slipping clutch feels like. I also annoy myself with how much I notice every squeak and vibration in the steering wheel etc.. I also know I do way too many miles to hammer my car because you just can't drive like that all the time.

Something could clearly have been on the verge of failure as its now failed but it certainly wasn't a clutch due to wear and tear... a clutch cable or however a hydraulic one works could have been on the brink, it was literally like turning the clutch switch off... one minute gears, all feels like it always did.. next minute I'm almost bringing a lung up pushing it into waitrose's car park.

Good job mrs100 works there and can swing me not getting a ticket.

Lopéz · 15 Jan 2010 at 21:26

Sounds very much like you have done a driveshaft.

You can get gears but you can't get drive so it's either a driveshaft/cv joint or the diff I would say.