Hi, I've posted a follow up here after going to the garage, if you could see what you think it would be appreciated.

http://www.fordowner...ment-mk1-focus/

Thanks.

Hi, In september I got my first car, a very well looked after Focus MK1 2000 1.8L Zetec. Only done ~31,500 miles, full service every year, no advisories on the MOT, etc.

It's always had a slight issue with Reverse, in that sometimes I'd shift into reverse and the gear stick would move to position but reverse didn't engage, I've got reverse sensors fitted so it's easy to see when reverse engages as they only beep/light up if reverse actually engages, not just if the gear stick is in position. Easy to sort though, back to neutral lift the clutch put it down again and it will engage reverse fine. Only does this 25% of the time so not really an issue.

Anyway so worked fine last night, get in my Car this morning and I can't shift to reverse at all, the gear stick is physically hitting something and can't move to the far right so no reverse or 5th gear. Car starts fine and sounds ok, can shift into 1st/2nd/3rd/4th, not tried driving as I'm parked on a slope, facing a wall.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Would check the cables are ok first, both at the shifter end and at the gearbox.

Thanks, looked into it and will be checking that tomorrow, found a few guides, looks pretty horrific though some of it, and lots to remove under the bonnet, but will give it a go.

If I recall correctly the 5th and reverse gear share a common selector claw so as said above either a loose selector cable or possibly a broken claw in the gearbox itself.

I've checked the gear stick end and all looks fine, due to weather not looked at the gearbox end yet, anyone know a good guide for the 1.8 Zetec and MTX75 box, found one for the duratec engine and it's box, but the layout looks different and I can't figure how to get to it. Things I'm reading are looking like I have to dismantle half the car, wheels off, lower the engine etc, really?

There's also a bit of metal like a bracket near the cables below the engine, it's attached but rotating freely, not sure if this is a bracket to hold the cables. None of it is really accessible due to things in the way.

Right, so jacked up the car and had a play, mine doesn't really look like any pics I've ever found, but anyway, played with the cables and the stick moves much further over (before it wouldn't move at all that way) to reverse & 5th, but still not enough to get it in gear, couldn't seem to move the cables any further, but seems to be so close.

Hi, I've posted a follow up here after going to the garage, if you could see what you think it would be appreciated.

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/66554-gear-box-replacement-mk1-focus/

Thanks.