Lexus IS200 gear selection problem

[Clutchless]

Hi chaps, would really appreciate any help you can give

I have a Lexus IS200 (manual) and I have a problem with the gear selection. What I’m finding is that occasionally when I go to select 1st or 2nd gear, the lever won’t go into position (like pushing against a solid object) but as soon as I release the pressure on the gear lever it will go into position on a second push with no problem at all. Although still only occasional, the problem happens more often when the car is cold.

I had the clutch changed in the summer and it has only started happening since then, but when I took it back to the garage they didn’t really have any clue, but indicated that the gearbox may be on its way out. This seems unlikely to me as the car is only 8 years old (7 with me), on 62k miles and has a full dealer service history.

Can anyone please help before I go and spend another small fortune!
Many thanks in advance

[davepoth]

So the problem started immediately after the garage changed the clutch? They did something wrong when they changed the clutch.

I don't know these cars but I assume that the engine and gearbox would need to be pulled together, then split, and put back together again when the clutch is changed. That probably means that the gearstick will have to be disconnected from the gearbox, and I bet they didn't put it back together quite correctly.

I would get a second opinion from another garage if I were you.

[SWR Performance]

Sounds like it's slightly misadjusted so the gear lever isn't fully in synch with the box internals. Heat things up in the box, they expand a minimal amount and it gets easier. Seen tons of different cars with rather similar issues, even my old Mondeo does exactly the same... But I have no clue about the drivetrain layout on your car, so can't say for sure.

[GavinPearson]

Bleed the clutch hydraulics then report back.

[Clutchless]

[quote=davepoth]So the problem started immediately after the garage changed the clutch? They did something wrong when they changed the clutch.
quote]

Thanks for the feedback so far guys. I didn't notice it straight after the clutch change but that was back in early summer and it only happens when the car is cold, so maybe 'the fault' was there all the time but it only showed itself come autumn and the colder weather!

I took it back to the garage in October when I first noticed it and they checked the gearbox oil as they thought that they may have forgotten to put any in after the clutch change!!!! They said the oil was fine, and that the gearbox just may be on the way out, but it seems unlikely that a gearbox would go on a main dealer serviced '53 plate Lexus with 62k on the clock? All sounds a bit too convenient to me

The trouble is, to be able to pursue the garage to put things right I need to be sure that the fault and clutch change are linked, but I don't have the facilities or technical know-how to start taking the car apart myself, and how could another garage check without taking the gearbox out, for big ££££s no doubt! :-(

[kornell]

Hello,
Did you solve something? I have exactly the same problem after the clutch change on my IS200

[E-bmw]

Most likely the selector cables need adjusting, google it for your car, it is normally fiddly but simple to do.