Citroen C3 (C2) Gear Cable Replacement ( see description for important note)

This is a shortened video due to YT time limits. At 10:27 I should have made the point that if the gearbox end of the cable doesn’t fit straight on to its ball then you have to hold the inner cable with grips and rotate the end round to line it up with the ball, if you don’t, then the twist force will cause one end to pop off after a few miles, they don’t always come orientated correctly, that’s why the gearbox end can be rotated, it’s tight but can be done by hand if you grip the inner cable.

[@aljudy01]

Really big thanks for this video. I would never have figured out the problem or tackled the job without it.

[@TheBuster036]

Big help. Thanks 👍🏻

[@lionelwilliams9824]

Very good I like this Video

[@avelathulanintsangani746]

Thank you so much you are great

[@thpxs0554]

Thanks, the original video was much better but too long. I can’t believe these crappy videos get so many views, 👍

[@fromraftel802]

im gonna try it tomorrow, wish me good luck, from argentina. i cant trust in any mechanic no more so here i am..

[@thpxs0554]

Did you do it ?

[@fromraftel802]

@@thpxs0554 yes, I only changed the head locks and it was perfect.

[@thpxs0554]

@@fromraftel802 muy bueno. Those caps should be available for about a dollar a set but I can’t find them here in Englaterra.

[@fromraftel802]

@@thpxs0554 The thing is if you don't change the caps you have to change the entire cable and it needs certain tools to do the job. I disarmed it and found that I did not have the tools to perform the operation. I consulted with a mechanic and he gave me a place to go to buy the caps. I was lucky

[@thpxs0554]

@@fromraftel802 Yes, I would have done the same but I couldn’t get the caps separately. I was quoted £138 for the cables from my usual supplier but got them on eBay for about £38. But still a big expense when I only needed the caps

[@jasonmadelin3633]

Hi, very tight gear changes would this likely be the cables? Many thanks J

[@thpxs0554]

Hi, you have to be methodical so as not to waste money and time. I would unclip the cables from the gear box by using pliars on the tabs so as not to damage them. This takes 1 minute. You will have to remove the air filter box for access. If the gear shift is still stiff with the m disconnected then it’s either the cables or the stick assembly, remove the trims and disconnect the cables from the stick assembly. If the stick is now loose then the cables need changing. You should easily be able to slide the cables with your fingers if they’re not connected at each end , if the stick is stiff then remove the stick assembly and see what’s damaged. With the cables off at the gearbox you should easily be able to pull the selector arms on the gear box with your hand . The clutch can also cause difficult gear changes if it’s not releasing properly, you may get a crunching noise and the pedal will be biting right on the floor instead of half way up. If that’s the case top up the fluid and bleed the slave cylinder with help from a friend. But my guess is one of the cables is tight or something could be obstructing the gear box arm, something may have been dropped down there, especially if it came on suddenly rather than developed over time, it’ll be easy to sort if it’s cable related. You must get the correct length cables, there’s lots that look the same but a tiny bit longer

[@tmautosstaustellcornwall5882]

Do they suffer with getting stiff inside the cables causing it to be really stiff to move into gear but loosens after a drive after they warm up ?

[@thpxs0554]

Hi, not that I’m aware of, the cables are almost like rods, they can push and pull like a rod does. Firstly, if it goes into gear easily with the engine off then you almost definitely have a clutch issue, If you have trouble getting into gear when it’s cold I’d suggest you first bleed the clutch ,maybe it’s got air in the circuit usually from worn seals in the slave cylinder leaking until air gets in and then it gets topped up without bleeding or fitting a new cyclinder. The clutch then won’t fully release and the gear shafts keep turning due to the cold oil dragging which means the syncromesh can’t line the gears up. ..If the clutch is biting right at the floor that’s a sure sign it’s not fully releasing but once hot and the oil thins out you can just about get away with it feeling ok. I’d change the gear oil as well, some specify engine oil in the gearbox and changing it more regularly, if it specifies an EP oil then get the lightest one listed, like a 75. Or whatever. If the clutch fluid is low you have a problem, but it may share the brake fluid reservoir, and if that’s low it could be a clutch leak or worn brakes or both. Check the clutch pedal high up to see if it wet up there and peel back the slave cylinder boot on the clutch housing and see if fluid is leaking through. ( assuming you don’t have a cylinder hidden in the clutch housing. Sorry it’s a long answer but all the information to work it out is included.

[@mewsette75]

My C3 Picasso (2009) has blown out the 'plastic socket' (shown at 6:48) at the end of the cable that is connected directly to the ball of gear stick...what is the name or code number of that spare part? I've managed to temporarily solve it by arranging some zip ties :) Gearbox works OK, however it's best if fixed with proper part. Thank you for the info!

[@thpxs0554]

Hi, I’ve not been able to get the sockets individually. They only come as part of the cable set, it’s a part that wears so should be available but there’s no profit in 2 sockets for a couple of pounds when you can sell the cables for £40 -£130. And they’re not all the same lengths either, you need to actually take off and measure your cables if there’s any doubt. Maybe you could go to a scrap yard and buy the sockets but that’s more trouble than fitting new cables,

[@davidpanter1978]

Hi, what are the symptoms of problems with the C3 gear cables? My sons C3 has lost 1st, an 2nd gear today, but has no gearbox noises at all,

[@thpxs0554]

Sorry for late reply, I only saw it today, but yes you’re cable had come off the arm on the gear box. Hope you fixed it easy

[@gaithshalan]

Hi,is it easy to fix the gear when you lost the second gear and R citroen C3?

[@thpxs0554]

Hi, if the cause is due to a broken or faulty gear cable then it’s easy, just change the cables like in the video. But if the fault is inside the gearbox then it’s not worth fixing. Get a new gearbox . If you get someone to sit in the car and move the stick to all the gears, you can watch the arms moving on the gearbox. If you have a cable problem you will see straight away. The cable end either comes off or the big clip comes out of its slot,

[@gaithshalan]

@@thpxs0554 thank you so much for this information I really appreciate it

[@wtfDorianGray]

Will this fix the wobbly gearstick? I have alot of loose

[@thpxs0554]

Possibly, but the problem may be in the gearbox or the cable may have just come off it’s bracket on top of the gearbox. If you can’t get all the gears then you probably need new cables. Get a friend to move the stick around while you have the bonnet open and watch to see what is moving

[@amph4162]

Followed your video. Great job. But now instead of having no 2nd 4th or reverse. I now have no 1st 3rd or 5th. What have i done wrong? I have stripped it down to see if its twisted or on the wrong ends -but that cant happen, so I am lost as to what the issue is? Can i accidently lock the gearbox if they arent in the right gear to start with?

[@thpxs0554]

Sorry for late reply. I assume you fixed it by now. You can’t lock the box, it can only be in one gear at a time . Did the cable off at the gear stick or the ball pin snap off. ? Or did the outer cable block slip out of its bracket,

[@amph4162]

@@thpxs0554 they sent me the wrong cables... Doh 😒

[@thpxs0554]

@@amph4162 that’s why I mentioned the length of the cables in my video, cos there’s no adjustment they have to be exactly right. French car parts were a nightmare in the 80s, they fitted different parts on the production line and you had to take the old part in and match it, only to find it’s not listed at all on that model. It’s much better now. 👍

[@mitsospatras]

How is the sheller ??

[@mitsospatras]

seller

[@thpxs0554]

www.ebay.co.uk/usr/d2pautoparts10 £39:00 ( in March this year)

[@lionelwilliams9824]

Follow the instructions how to remove the existing Cable it is as easy as 123

[@mitsospatras]

Ok sorry i saw him