XC60 Manual won’t go into gear with engine on but will off
 

Hi, I really hope someone can help me. My 2010 XC60 (manual) has been the best car I’ve had but the other day I went out and got stuck in town as it would let me select any gear, it was like a wall had gone up in the gear box, but when I turned the engine off and tried to put it in gear it went in a smooth as normal?? It’s now at a local garage and they haven’t looked but have said it’s the clutch and flywheel and will be nearly £1700 to replace. The odd thing is the clutch felt fine the pedal had the same pressure as always?? I did read somewhere about a selectee module issue but I can’t find the thread anymore. Does anyone know if this is right as £1700 isn’t really worth spending on it due to age and mileage. Thanks

Your car is 13 years old. Someone has had the (clutch) wear and tear out of it, but of course perhaps not you.

Everything wears out. You might consider it unfortunate that the clutch has (apparently) thrown the towel in on your watch. That's the gamble we all take when we buy something that is much cheaper than new car with a warranty. We can't have our cake and eat it.

If you like the car, and it is otherwise in good condition (it's the Devil you know), get the clutch done, YOU can then have all the wear and tear for the next 100,000 miles plus.

Shop around for a better price, £1700 seems a little heavy.

A "baulking" gearchange can often be overcome by pressing and releasing the cluch pedal in neutral (with the engine running).

Thank you
I am just surprised it’s the clutch as it doesn’t feel like it’s the issue, why would it let me select the gear when the engine isn’t running but almost feel like rods have gone across when the engine has started?

I agree. A conventional clutch design wears out displaying slipping whilst in gear due to failure of the friction plate or even the spring.

Inability to select any gear does not sound like usual wear.

Unless you have a dual mass clutch a new kit should only be around £250-£300 but the majority of the cost will be labour.

So what happens if you select 1st gear and start the engine with the clutch depressed? Can you then bring the clutch up and move?

It's the clutch dragging usually caused by oil contamination or overheating , the clutch pedal does not have enough stroke for the plate to free off.
Will certainly be a dmf probably close to £1000 in parts then at least 5- 6 hrs labour.
Only you can tell if its worth spending that sort of money on it

Genuine Volvo DMF clutch kit £635...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192380188149


An aftermarket kit can be had for less. No idea on labour best to ask a garage that has done one before or go to a Volvo specialist. Even a full day at £50 ph should bring the job in around a grand though.

Thanks for replying, when I try to start in gear with clutch depressed it just stalls the engine.

I think that's clear that the clutch isn't disengaging when the pedal is pressed.

I'm not sure if the mechanism is cable or hydraulic but it if its cable then it could simply be that that's failed.

I recently had to replace the clutch cable on my motorbike for similar issues to yours

If it's hydraulic, could be a leak preventing full pressure being applied to the clutch slave cylinder

Out of interest, how many miles on the car?

Had a similar problem with an old cortina . Turned out to be the clutch shaft seized in the spigot bearing

Possibly the clutch slave cylinder failed.