Can't shift gears while car is on

[3Gee Tee]

So I start the car this morning (cranks up just fine), let it warm up as usual but when I press the clutch in and try to shift into gear, nothing. If I force it I hear a slight grinding noise so I won't do that again. Clutch pedal is still firm too.

With the car off, it shifts into every gear just fine. I have not had a chance to look under the hood yet since I'm at work now. No signs of noises before that, car was running great.

I'm hoping it's just a shifter cable or plate? Car has 114k miles on it with original clutch/PP.

[nekret]

sounds like your clutch is not releasing as it should. Have a friend push the clutch while you watch the slave cylinder from under the car. it should move back and forth with the pedal.

[sheston]

like @nekret; said, sounds like low clutch fluid, or the slave having problems. You should be able to see the slave from the top, pop the hood, look down behind the radiator on the transmission side, have someone look (or you) as the clutch is depressed and released. There are several video's on here of how a slave should look when working properly

Good luck

[mazdaspeedchris]

Sounds like slave or you need to pull the trans and inspect the clutch.

[IMASA]

I recently had a similar problem. For me, the clutch pedal, while still firm, you could tell that when it was full depressed, it felt like there was some resistance pushing back, it didn't feel like it was 100% depressed like normal.

The shop said some of the springs on my ACT pressure plate failed, so I had to buy another clutch. My ACT clutch was 2 yrs old (out of warranty) and only been used ~24k kms.

[Nitr0EngiE]

Originally Posted by IMASA I recently had a similar problem. For me, the clutch pedal, while still firm, you could tell that when it was full depressed, it felt like there was some resistance pushing back, it didn't feel like it was 100% depressed like normal. The shop said some of the springs on my ACT pressure plate failed, so I had to buy another clutch. My ACT clutch was 2 yrs old (out of warranty) and only been used ~24k kms.

I have heard of other cases where ACT Pressure plate gets broken fingers and has pressure plate problems which is why I may never try one.

[Allgood]

Any updates OP?

[davedeg115]

Similar issue happened to me on my MS6. The clutch was torched. My mechanic said it had issues on the pressure plate, but as we took it off it was worse. Currently in the midst of replacing the entire clutch kit, and flywheel (no issues with flywheel just doing it to be safe). MS6 trans is difficult to get to with AWD im not sure about MS3 tho

[3Gee Tee]

So after a day of the car just sitting there, I got in it and cranked it up and it went into gear just fine. Drove it to work and so far so good. I'm still worried that the issue will come back so I'll just have to see what happens next. Thanks for the input.

[07Speed6guy]

Hey guys,
This exact thing is happening to me right now. I just drove the car two days ago.

Recently did a clutch job, Drove it around the block, parked it. New master cylinder, bled the system and it now has pressure but now it wont go into gear. The slave cylinder looks like its engaging the clutch even more than it was before I bled it.

Should I bleed it more?

Also, OP did this come back for you?

[Thor Hammer]

Still having issues huh? Take it to a shop. You must have botched the install.

[CWP_MS3]

When my slave went out it was making a suction noise when I would repeatedly pump the pedal. It was from air getting past the seal. My slave would still move the cylinder, but not as far as a properly functioning slave cylinder did. If I pressed it slow, I wouldn't hear it, but if I kept pumping the pedal it was pretty obvious with the car off.

If you didn't ziptie the slave, there's a good chance that's your problem. Surprised it drove fine one day and not another.

[07Speed6guy]

Originally Posted by CWP_MS3 When my slave went out it was making a suction noise when I would repeatedly pump the pedal. It was from air getting past the seal. My slave would still move the cylinder, but not as far as a properly functioning slave cylinder did. If I pressed it slow, I wouldn't hear it, but if I kept pumping the pedal it was pretty obvious with the car off. If you didn't ziptie the slave, there's a good chance that's your problem. Surprised it drove fine one day and not another.

I will check the slave today. I just replaced my Master Clutch and I finally have pressure, of course I get pressure and now it won't engage.

It shifted and drove fine the other day too that's why this is killing me.

Originally Posted by Thor Hammer Still having issues huh? Take it to a shop. You must have botched the install.

I had a friend of mine who works at a dealership help with the clutch install so I was sure it would get done properly. I am just wondering if abuse from before the clutch job maybe messed with the housing?

I honestly didn't beat on it but before I parked it was when the pedal went to the floor and would still engage. Maybe I f'ed up the internals getting it home? But I wasn't forcing gears either..

I will take it to the dealer if I can't find an easy fix because I have a warranty up to 100000 miles I'm at 87 and the housing is covered.

[CWP_MS3]

Originally Posted by 07Speed6guy I will check the slave today. I just replaced my Master Clutch and I finally have pressure, of course I get pressure and now it won't engage. It shifted and drove fine the other day too that's why this is killing me.

My pedal felt fine, and would return just fine as well. Just FYI. But it was never driveable. Maybe if I had gotten myself moving, but I wouldn't have even tried.

[07Speed6guy]

Originally Posted by CWP_MS3 My pedal felt fine, and would return just fine as well. Just FYI. But it was never driveable. Maybe if I had gotten myself moving, but I wouldn't have even tried.

Yeah, that's where I am right now. I am so sick of this car breaking down and having things go wrong that my motivation to fix it sucks. I am stuck in a rut too because I rolled over a car and still owe on this one so I cannot get rid of it.

I am going to bleed it a little more tonight too if anything changed I will keep you guys posted.

[CWP_MS3]

Pump it and see if it makes noise. Ain't no amount of bleeding going to fixing a blown seal in a slave. lol

Gotta ziptie these things...

[07Speed6guy]

Originally Posted by CWP_MS3 Pump it and see if it makes noise. Ain't no amount of bleeding going to fixing a blown seal in a slave. lol Gotta ziptie these things...

I wil listen to it for sure but I never ziptied my slave, you mean the rubber boot right? where is connects?

I will give it a shot,

[CWP_MS3]

Originally Posted by 07Speed6guy I wil listen to it for sure but I never ziptied my slave, you mean the rubber boot right? where is connects? I will give it a shot,

Nah... When you do a clutch swap, you need to ziptie the piston in place. If it is hanging, it can extend too far out and blow the seal. It happens to a lot of people on here.

Like this:

[07Speed6guy]

Originally Posted by CWP_MS3 Nah... When you do a clutch swap, you need to ziptie the piston in place. If it is hanging, it can extend too far out and blow the seal. It happens to a lot of people on here. Like this:

Oh fuck.... lol...

mine was just hanging around. I bet I did blow a seal fuck.

Thanks for that man I will handle it for sure.

[CWP_MS3]

Check for the suctiony noise. If nothing, try bleeding it a couple more times.

When you bleed it, get some clear rubber hose from home depot (1/4" IIRC, but I bought 3/8s as well) and bleed it into a clear mason jar or something filled with enough brake fluid to submerge the line to create a vacuum and see the air bubbles.

When mine was leaking, I could bleed it forever and not get rid of the air. With a new slave, it only took a couple of times before I could see VAST improvement, and solid fluid coming out.

[07Speed6guy]

Originally Posted by CWP_MS3 Check for the suctiony noise. If nothing, try bleeding it a couple more times. When you bleed it, get some clear rubber hose from home depot (1/4" IIRC, but I bought 3/8s as well) and bleed it into a clear mason jar or something filled with enough brake fluid to submerge the line to create a vacuum and see the air bubbles. When mine was leaking, I could bleed it forever and not get rid of the air. With a new slave, it only took a couple of times before I could see VAST improvement, and solid fluid coming out.

I actually have some hose from my mightyvac (that does not work) I just called another friend of mine and he just said the same thing and bleed it more.

I really appreciate the help man honestly.

[sheston]

My clutch would gravity bleed itself. Made it fairly easy

[07Speed6guy]

So the car drives, I went home and pumped the clutch a few times for hahas.
I didn't have time to go and look at the slave because I was helping a buddy move but I am sure I have a small leak. I will check it out.

[MS3JCG]

Originally Posted by IMASA I recently had a similar problem. For me, the clutch pedal, while still firm, you could tell that when it was full depressed, it felt like there was some resistance pushing back, it didn't feel like it was 100% depressed like normal. The shop said some of the springs on my ACT pressure plate failed, so I had to buy another clutch. My ACT clutch was 2 yrs old (out of warranty) and only been used ~24k kms.

I have the same clutch and issue, were you able to find out what it was? Mine was making grinding noises only when I hold the clutch down. While driving put it in fourth one day and i heard a clonk and pedal was stuck and stuck in gear. Mine was supposedly the slave cylinder. Now it's stuck again! Thinking the slave cyl didnt need to be replaced. Any thoughts?

[MS3JCG]

Originally Posted by Nitr0EngiE I have heard of other cases where ACT Pressure plate gets broken fingers and has pressure plate problems which is why I may never try one.

What other clutch would you try if not the ACT. I have ACT 6 puck clutch, stage 2 if not mistaken for 2 years and looking like I'll have to replace asap. Clutch pedal stuck in place again. First time, took it to the mechanic to see what it was, they said it was that slave cylinder so i got that replaced along with the master cylinder. Did the master just in case. But today same thing happened where clutch got stuck. I need a better clutch, anyone have any luck with other brands?

[sheston]

It really doesn't sound like a clutch issue, maybe pressure plate.

You should be able to trouble shoot fairly easy. Look down at the slave (between engine and radiator on the tranny side) and have someone pump the clutch. See if the slave moves like it's supposed to (there are videos on here of the correct throw). If it is moving correctly, I would try moving the clutch fork. Maybe it came off it's pivot point or maybe the pressure plate broke.

There are several threads on here about what to do if the slave doesn't work, ie. lines have bulges, missing gasket on slave, ....etc

[07Speed6guy]

Also, shine a light inside the boot and take a look at those fingers of the pressure plate. Maybe it is bent or broken fingers!

[Nitr0EngiE]

Originally Posted by CWP_MS3 When my slave went out it was making a suction noise when I would repeatedly pump the pedal. It was from air getting past the seal. My slave would still move the cylinder, but not as far as a properly functioning slave cylinder did. If I pressed it slow, I wouldn't hear it, but if I kept pumping the pedal it was pretty obvious with the car off. If you didn't ziptie the slave, there's a good chance that's your problem. Surprised it drove fine one day and not another.

I am having trouble with the whole zip tie thing and I think its a load of shit in certain cases for some specific reasons I will outline below. I think it depends on when and how you are installing it.

Case A, Installing a new slave

1.) The slave comes brand new in the box fully extended without any restraint.
2.) Before I even hook up the clutch line I mount it with it pressing on the clutch arm and bolt it in, at this point it cannot over extend.
3.) after installed then I hook up clutch line, bleed it.

Up to this point there is no fucking reason for a zip tie. There was never any pressure on the slave actuator other than its internal spring.

Case B, Removing a slave you intend on keeping. In this case maybe the transmission is being removed and the slave has to go

1.) Here is where I would use a zip tie or a clamp of some kind to depress the slave before removing it as there is FLUID pressure in the line now and if removed I could see it over extending and popping a seal.
2.) Put back on car with zip tie and once bolted in remove the zip tie and the arm extends back into the perch safely.

Case C, Not removing the slave but need to disconnect the line

1.) Again no reason for a zip tie here as the clutch arm will hold the slave piston in place and you can freely remove the clutch line as needed.

So with all of this there is only one scenario I see needing a zip tie. If it is shipped without one and it gets installed WITHOUT FLUID OR CLUTCH LINE inserted yet there is no fucking reason for iT! Someone explain this.

Now if they came PRE shipped with a restraint of some kind there would STILL not be a need for a zip tie as it would have one installed already....Unless you in Case B.

[Vader]

Case B was the scenario being discussed ("Nah... When you do a clutch swap, you need to ziptie the piston in place. If it is hanging, it can extend too far out and blow the seal. It happens to a lot of people on here.)

Why the fuck would you zip tie the slave with no pressure?

You got really mad for no reason

But thanks for your input...