While driving last night I heard a grinding/scraping noise from the engine. I pushed in the clutch and the noise stopped. When I let the clutch back out the noise returned and the engine had stopped. Tried to restart it but it would not start. Went out to look at it this morning and still would not start. (I should say that the electrical is OK. The starter is cranking strongly.) Don't know if this means anything as far as starting but it is parked on an incline and when I was looking at it this morning, it was in first gear and I am pretty sure that was keeping the car from moving. I took it out of first and it began moving. I put it back into 1st gear and now the car will move. Any ideas?

 

How many miles? Have you checked the timing the 1.9l is well known for self-destruction. The 1.9L is known to brake valve seats.

 

Thanks for the reply. It was the belt tensioner pully. That was the grinding noise.

 

In response to your first post, usually when the trans is in first gear and the engine is not running, it should hold the car from moving,,,,,, unless,,,,,the clutch is wiped out or the engine has very little or no compression. With the engine running and the trans in first gear will he car move as it should?