Car was working perfectly yesterday--I woke up this morning to find that I can't put the car in any gear when the engine is running--clutch pedal feels fine but it seems as if the clutch isn't dis-engaging to allow me to put the transmission into a gear. I don't see anything visually wrong with the master cylinder and lines (can't really see the slave--about to go and take a closer look). Think the slave or master could have completely failed (in the span of one night)? Or is there a simpler solution I'm missing?

Interestingly enough, for the past three years something in the clutch system would make very nasty squeaking noises especially when it rained... Never could figure out what was causing the squeaking.

FS

 

The pedal could be your problem... Check out these links:
Clutch Pedal Issues, Solutions, and Explanations
WOOOO ! Clutch pedal SNAP off ~~~

 

The clutch pedal assembly bracket is perfect. I'm guessing it's the hydraulic system...?

 

Either that or the throwout bearing actuator arm came off the pivot point inside the bellhousing. Either situation is rather easy to determine.

 

Update: I've bled the system and there was no air. The slave cylinder does push the clutch release fork when the pedal is pushed. It seems as if it's an internal problem... How can I test for the bearing actuator arm or throwout bearing?

Just FYI I haven't run the car over anything or done anything out of the ordinary. It was working perfectly fine last night!

Also, I assume the 100,000 mi warranty doesn't cover the transmission?

 

I had the same exact symptoms and it turned out my pilot bearing had exploded. Start the car, and push your clutch pedal to the floor and hold it there, see if you can hear the grinding of a bad bearing. If so, it's most likely your pilot bearing.

 

No, it wouldn't. That is only for the engine core. There is a 5yr/60,000 mi warranty that covers the drivetrain. But, that would be long expired on your car.

 

Typically bad throwout or pilot bearing have some nasty grinding noise associated with them. As long as the slave is making normal travel you can rule out the pedal, master, and slave. Sounds like the tranny will need to come out.


I've never experienced but this seems plausible. Trans would still need to come out.

 

I cannot hear any abnormal noises at all.

No increase in free play. Shifted beautifully as it has since day one of my purchase (up to the morning it stopped working).

Any other ideas? I'm terrified of calling the tow truck when it's something I can fix myself...

 

I would just drop the tranny and look inside, it's more than likely going to have to come out anyway.

 

So I decided as a last ditch effort to reset the ECM. Voila. Shifts now. I never knew that the electronics would actually prevent you from shifting into a gear. Damn electronics. Thanks for everyone's help.

FS

 

I've never heard of that one before, but hey who knows. Congrats.

 

I'm not crazy! I don't believe it myself but if it works, it works!

 

I'm gonna go ahead and say I'm thinking that's just gonna be a temporary fix... Hmmm

 

That sounds like a failing clutch pedal bracket for sure. Same thing happened to me and many others. The squeaking is the giveaway...that noise is the bending and breaking of the thin crappy metal around the spot welds of the clutch pedal bracket. One day it will let go for good and you're stuck. Before mine failed, it would shift fine some days and lousy other days.

It is a DIY fix if you can pull it and weld it back together yourself. Otherwise, someone is selling reinforcement hardware....you can look it up. I think the ECM had nothing to do with it.

There are some good DIY articles on this forum for the clutch pedal bracket

 

The same exact thing happened to me yesterday. Drove it 20 miles fine than turned it off for a little than when I got back in it the shifts started being clunky and hard to get in and out of gear so I limped into a parking lot, and as I got there it just didn't even go into gear anymore. The clutch pedal does not disengage the pedal. Anyone who can help pm me cause I'm gonna end up doing it myself. I'm gonna start with the fluid than check the bracket as I have had that squeak some days and than onto the master and slave. Any help would be awesome.

 

* does not disengage the clutch

 

I have the same issue as the last post any help would be awesome also clutch pedal does not come all the way back on its own and some one over filed the brake master cylinder to the top prior the issue