gear selection

[rembrant]

ive got a n reg toyota hiace compact diesel van, having trouble getting first and second gear when stationary,ok when moving.i have to go into third or fourth then it will select first and second (if that makes sense) . Is it a gearbox or clutch problem...

 

[simoniris]

Could be synchro's on 1st & second [like a pair of phosphor bronze gears that run together between the main gears to slow everything down to allow it to engage - when you're rolling the gears will be moving so have a better chance of meshing them.], if so it's a gearbox rebuild or replacement [usually service exchange best option].
Might find that one day you just can't get 1st & 2nd at all.
Have you tried accelerating gently, de-clutching, applying gentle pressure into the gears and slipping the clutch out? Might be able to engage 1st that way?

 

[andyandy2]

With gear selection problems its always worth checking without the engine running, see if you can select all gears, if its still difficult to get gears it could just be a linkage alignment problem (best to check with the clutch pedal depressed, will allow slight movement of gears to align syncro's

 

[TicklyT]

Check the engine mountings. If the engine has settled down on it's mounts more than it should have, it may throw the gear lever linkage out of alignment.

 

[InTheBeginning2007]

Could well be a leaking clutch master or slave cylinder.