A Sydney man's attempt to steal a car backfired when it turned out he could not drive a manual vehicle.

Police said the man approached a woman while she was waiting at a set of traffic lights at the intersection of Norton and Holden Street in Ashfield about 2:45pm yesterday.

He allegedly pulled on the 47-year-old's arm and told her to get out of the car.

The man attempted to drive the car but he did not get very far because he could not drive a car with manual transmission.

Police said he then grabbed the woman's purse from the floor of the car and ran from the scene.

Sydney City Local Area officers found the woman's purse containing her credit cards and identification when they arrested the man on unrelated matters last night.

The 41-year-old was charged with robbery and assault with intent to take a vehicle.

He was refused bail and will face Central Local Court today.