IanMetro wrote:

alex_pescaru wrote:

The clutch is not fully disconnecting the engine and the box input shaft is still spinning / driven by the engine.
The synchros are not allowing you to change gear when the input shaft is driven.
Their job is to match speeds of the two (or more) shafts inside the box.
If the input shaft is still spinning/driven, then the synchros can't do their job.
And yes, any box can change gears when the engine is off (not spinning).

I am sure this is right (as Alex always is) as I had these symptoms with a few of my Vauxhalls in the 'cable clutch' days.
The early diaphragm clutches used to stop disengaging properly as they became worn (they were supposed to be self-adjusting) this led to inability to select gears when stationary.

PS - I've just remembered.
Whilst travelling home, very late in the evening, from a course in Brixham (Decca Navigator), I had a clutch cable snap on the A38.
As I went through Taunton (No M5 in those days) I noticed that the Vauxhall Main Dealer was open. Having a closer look I saw that it offered 24hr workshop facilities. I stopped and had a new cable fitted almost immediately.
What service - I don't think 24hr garage maintenance exists anymore.

Update. Car been a garage over a week. Sod's law fault not evident with them. Am picking up Monday I wonder if it is dependant on who is in the driving seat.

any outcome to this ,dads F/L cant get gears ,but has had a new clutch 15k ago

so managed to see the car, i can select all gears with engine on or off so i dont think it a linkage issue.cables moving at the gearbox end under the bonnet,clutch pedal feels ok,some resistance.Its very strange,i started the car clutch down and selected every gear with clutch up and down and nothing ,no drive no sound ,nothing? help welcome