Hi

After not being able to start my car on 2 occasions i have figured out it has to do with the clutch pedal

i am not sure what is happening, but when i leave the car for a few days the pedal is very stiff and apparently is not depressing far enough (or something enough) to engage the safety that allows the car to start

today it happened and i realized the clutch pedal is not coming all the way back out

i pulled it back out with my toe and that solved the problem - once started, the pedal gets easier

last symptom: awful groaning/croaking sound on the last half of the clutch pedal travel

any thoughts?

thanks!

 

The stiffness is coming from the clutch accumulator losing pressure. Once started the accumulator has pressure again and the power assist is present again.

The pedal not coming all the way back is likely from air in the system or a failing master or slave cylinder.

Without knowing the history of the car or being able to see the car those are my best logical explanations.

 

Thanks Jake

Any tips on how to diagnose further?

thanks

 

I'm certain it's the accumulator that needs replacement for the loss of assist when the car isn't running.

As for the pedal not completely returning you can try to bleed the clutch system and see if that helps.

 

Check to see if the clutch master cylinder under the bonnet on the drivers side is not overflowiing with pentosin! It will be wet in that area! If it is leaking you also need to replace the slave cylinder. A faulty slave cylinder will change engagement points along with other pedal woes!
If it is leaking make sure you check your pwr steering fluid level. The pwr steering pump provides the assist for the clutch.

 

thx Kevin

 

When you check resivoir and system and get correct clutch operation, you can get rid of the switch with a fuse to eliminate pushing clutch to start car.

 

thx 911MH

 

yeah, i also eliminated the necessity of engaging the clutch at startup so as to remove any undue pressure on the assisted accumulator with the engine off. seeing as I've replaced at least three of them by now i figure the less i use it, the better off it will be ha.

it's a good mod and it's intuitive for me to start cars in neutral, so it works for me. fkn retarded actually, to need to engage the clutch to start a manual car. especially this one with the finicky hydraulics.