Guess my clutch master went out?

[KSnippy]

I hadnt driven my car in a couple weeks but when I did the clutch pedal was staying pressed in when I would press it. I cranked it up for a couple minutes a week ago and guess didn't notice that it was stuck down again. Well I get in it again today, go to crank it and notice it's stuck down again. I guess it's been depressed for the past week. I checked the master cylinder reservoir and it was out of fluid. I didn't see a leak inside or out outside the cylinder. On top of that I can't start the car. It's not stuck in gear though, I can change gears freely so I'm guessing it's stuck depressed. I guess I'm just checking to make sure it the master and not the slave before I order one. I'm guessing it's the master since it was missing fluid.

 

[SOADweskey]

Well if you don't know where the fluid is leaking from it could be either cylinder or the line. Check if the carpet below the clutch pedal or the pad behind the carpet is damp. Inside the car is a common place for fluid to leak when the master goes bad.

 

[KSnippy]

Plus wouldn't the car start if it was stuck in the depressed positio?

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

You will have to refill the system and put.p the pedal to find the leak. A master leak is pretty easy to spot as they typically leak down the interior of the firewall, and behind the carpet. The slave cylinder, and lines are also other sources for a leak. If you still have the accumulator, the rubber line can deteriorate from age.

You don't have to start the car to check for leaks. This would be an easier troubleshoot with another person to pump the pedal.

 

[SOADweskey]

It should, the switch is on the pedal linkage. Are you sure the battery isn't dead from sitting?

 

[KSnippy]

I suppose a dead battery is possible but all the other electronics in the car were working when I was trying to start it. Maybe just not enough juice to start it.

Ill look for a leak inside tomorrow. I was umder the dash looking at the clutch pedal but i wasnt specifically looking for a leak at the time. Is it possible for the pedal being depressed for a week to cause something to fail?

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

Get your leak sorted out first, then check out some no start threads.

 

[KSnippy]

Checked up under the dash for fluid today. I didnt see any anywhere or signs of a leak. Guess I need to look at the slave next.

 

[KSnippy]

Got to thinking about the starting issue and was wondering if it could be the clutch safety switch. I don't know why it would stop working from the pedal being pressed down for a week but who knows maybe it's possible. It's still making contact and releasing when depressing the clutch. Stupid starting problem has me frustrated. Just don't see why it won't start when the trans is shifting freely in neutral and clutch is pressed.

Have a master and slave on order. I obviously have a problem somewhere on that front since the master reservoir was empty when I checked it. Ill get under it to see if the slave is moving when the clutch is depressed.

 

[Mello]

Pull the boot back on slave. If it's bad and leaking fluid will come out from under it.

 

[93AWDDSM]

Pull the boot back on slave. If it's bad and leaking fluid will come out from under it.

+1 to that - mine is leaking and it's almost got that "doesn't want to return" feeling because of air getting in

 

[KSnippy]

Got the starting problem fixed. Guess the clutch safety switch burned out since it was engaged for a week and a half. I unplugged the switch and it started up as always.

I got under the car to look at the slave. It was pretty oily down there but I'm not sure if it was from the slave or just from other oil leaks. I have a new slave so I'll put it on anyways. I got my wife to press the clutch while I was under there. The slave was moving but not that much. Not sure how much it's supposed to move anyway.

 

[Mello]

Don't remember the exact travel but I think it's just shy of a couple inches. I've noticed on my car that the cups inside the master and or slave will wear out over time and let fluid squeeze around them causing weak performance. When this happens to the slave it fills the inside of the boot with fluid. The master can be weak on the inside and not show any signs of leaking or it leaks all over the carpet. I'm getting ready to change both of mine because my clutch no longer travels the full distance.

 

[Dxc545]

Best to just replace both the slave and master also with new braided lines. I've been stuck in the middle of the highway because of a failed accumulator line

 

[KSnippy]

Id say my slave was traveling about a half an inch.