I have a FWD 2000 Y reg Duratorq diesel transit 100k miles.
I was driving along when suddenly i could only get third and fourth gear. no lateral movement on the gear lever just forward and back between 3rd and 4th.
There was no real warning of this, it had jumped out of gear occasionally but was no problem getting into gear.
Managed to get it home and looked on the internet for a solution were I came here looking for selector problems.
Gear lever and cables were all ok but on the turret were the cables connect to the gear box was the problem.
The turret sits on the right side of the gear box by the right engine mounting the gear linkage connects to it.
The reversing light switch mounts to the turret and I was told to check this first as it has been known to go to bits and jam the selector. It is fitted to the turret with 2 stainless clips that are easily to spring off.
It was OK, the cables from the gear lever connect onto the linkage on the turret, check that these are OK and not worn or come off.
Mine has done 100k and were in good condition.
They lever off quite easily and push back on.
The front to back movement on the gear lever transfers to the linkage radial arm once the cable is disconnected it should be able to be moved back and for freely.
The left and right movement on the gear lever transfers to the linkage causing it to move up and down.
This is were my problem was no movement at all.
I feared the worse something broken or jammed as the problem came so suddenly.
I then decided to remove the turret 6 10mm bolts, you will need a good socket set with various extensions and a flexible extension or extension with a universal joint.
There was a bolt at the rear that was very difficult to get at and I moved it from underneath with a 10mm spanner.
The turret then lifted off and out.
It was then clear that what the fault was, that were the shaft went up and down through the turret it was siezed.
It has been posted before about this that water lies at the top of the turret and slowly ingresses over the years causing the linkage to stop moving up and down.
All it would take is a bit of grease at the top of the turret at a service to stop this happening.
And it is a good idea if you have a FWD transit to grease this if you havent done it.
It was just a case of greasing the shaft and working it up and down till it was free.
I put plenty of grease outside the turret were the shaft comes out the top and in through the hole were the reversing light fits were you can access the shaft as well.
I then refitted it and it was back working splendidly.
I did notice on the turret there is a grey bush that slides between the 2 linkages that was a little worn but am not sure if this can be bougfht seperatly, probably not.
I know this is a bit long winded but having looked at all the posts on this problem i think this should give a good soloution to this easy to fix problem.
