Astra First Gear Sticking

gibby9

I own a Vauxall Astra, 59 plate, with around 45,000 miles on the clock.

Recently I've found some difficulty in engaging first gear. This is intermittent, normally no problems, and resolved by putting into neutral, releasing and then pressing the clutch again, and first gear engages easily on the second try.

Clutch is always pressed down to the floor.

Does this sound like a problem which may get worse over time needing repaired asap. Or does this sound more like natural aging of the car and certain things are to be expected?

angrycrow

Is this the six speed box with reverse positioned to the left of 1st gear. I drove an Astra with that gear box a few years ago and the reverse gate had failed so when trying to engage 1st it often went into reverse but you could not tell until you started to raise the clutch. A bit brown trousers for people behind. I wonder if it could be a similar issue as i have met other people reporting the same issue which started as difficulty getting into 1st.

It was a rental so I don't know how much it cost to repair. But it felt like the issue was at the selector end so most likely a cheap repair.

b33r

Ha, how strange, twice in one day I've read about an Astra problem that I've also experienced.

I've also got a 59 plate Astra (1.6 petrol manual - about 51k on clock), is yours an Astra J? If so, it's a very early one like mine as that was the crossover year.

Anyway, every now and again (like maybe once a month?!) I get the same thing, can't get it in to first but releasing the clutch and re-pressing usually sorts it. Had it for about 2 years and haven't had any further problems from it (touch wood!)

gibby9

It's a late model Astra H. 5 speed gear box with reverse to the left of 1st gear.

About once or twice a month sounds about right. Doesn't seem to be going into reverse, more part way into 1st then jamming.

Richard53

Just about every car I have ever owned has done this from time to time. It baulks going into first, you leave the lever in neutral, let the clutch up and down, and it goes in fine. Thinking about it, I can't remember a (manual) car that didn't do this occasionally. Nearly new and bangers, British and foreign, nice cars and rubbish cars. All needed occasional coaxing to get first at a standstill. Probably just a sign of ageing. Unless it's getting noticeably worse, or you can't actually engage first, I would just live with it.