Not having a good day
Discussion
Its MOT day today. Car always passes with the same minor advisory every year regarding the trailing arm bracket (previous mechanic did a bit of damage getting the bolt out but as I never drive in the rain, never gets any worse.
Tried to start car, fule pump primes, but starter just clicks. It did this the last time I started it, but after about 5 attempts, it started.
So, gave the starter some gentle persuasion with a block of wood. No difference. Dragged my teenage son out of his pit to help me push car out of the garage (assuming I will now need to take starter off).
Tried bump starting car, but couldn't get car into gear??
Tried starter again, car fires into life!!
Assumed I would make it to MOT so phoned them up to tell them the good news. No sooner had I put the phone down, but tried to select a gear, pedal feels very light, and no joy. Checked reservoir, full of fluid so no leak.
So, it seems clutch is stuck.
Any suggestions how to get myself moving?
I'm starting to lose the love :-(
Tried to start car, fule pump primes, but starter just clicks. It did this the last time I started it, but after about 5 attempts, it started.
So, gave the starter some gentle persuasion with a block of wood. No difference. Dragged my teenage son out of his pit to help me push car out of the garage (assuming I will now need to take starter off).
Tried bump starting car, but couldn't get car into gear??
Tried starter again, car fires into life!!
Assumed I would make it to MOT so phoned them up to tell them the good news. No sooner had I put the phone down, but tried to select a gear, pedal feels very light, and no joy. Checked reservoir, full of fluid so no leak.
So, it seems clutch is stuck.
Any suggestions how to get myself moving?
I'm starting to lose the love :-(
Sandgrounder said:
Its MOT day today. Car always passes with the same minor advisory every year regarding the trailing arm bracket (previous mechanic did a bit of damage getting the bolt out but as I never drive in the rain, never gets any worse.
Tried to start car, fule pump primes, but starter just clicks. It did this the last time I started it, but after about 5 attempts, it started.
So, gave the starter some gentle persuasion with a block of wood. No difference. Dragged my teenage son out of his pit to help me push car out of the garage (assuming I will now need to take starter off).
Tried bump starting car, but couldn't get car into gear??
Tried starter again, car fires into life!!
Assumed I would make it to MOT so phoned them up to tell them the good news. No sooner had I put the phone down, but tried to select a gear, pedal feels very light, and no joy. Checked reservoir, full of fluid so no leak.
So, it seems clutch is stuck.
Any suggestions how to get myself moving?
I'm starting to lose the love :-(
You could try threatening it with being parked about half a mile out on Southport beach.....Tried to start car, fule pump primes, but starter just clicks. It did this the last time I started it, but after about 5 attempts, it started.
So, gave the starter some gentle persuasion with a block of wood. No difference. Dragged my teenage son out of his pit to help me push car out of the garage (assuming I will now need to take starter off).
Tried bump starting car, but couldn't get car into gear??
Tried starter again, car fires into life!!
Assumed I would make it to MOT so phoned them up to tell them the good news. No sooner had I put the phone down, but tried to select a gear, pedal feels very light, and no joy. Checked reservoir, full of fluid so no leak.
So, it seems clutch is stuck.
Any suggestions how to get myself moving?
I'm starting to lose the love :-(
The clutch problem could be a failed seal in either the master or slave cylinder, or a mechanical failure of the clutch release arm, or something seized in the clutch release mechanism. (If the slave seal has gone, you'll be pumping fluid out each time you push the pedal.)
I suspect the starter problems are unrelated. If you haven't replaced the dreaded yellow connector in the steering column yet, I would plan to do that now. Also check whether the battery voltage is good (should be over 12.6V with the engine stopped) and whether you also see the full battery voltage across the starter motor solenoid when you have the key in the 'cranking' position. If the solenoid is getting full voltage but not working, you need to take it off and get it replaced/serviced. If it isn't, you need to work back through the electrics to find where the voltage is being lost.
I suspect the starter problems are unrelated. If you haven't replaced the dreaded yellow connector in the steering column yet, I would plan to do that now. Also check whether the battery voltage is good (should be over 12.6V with the engine stopped) and whether you also see the full battery voltage across the starter motor solenoid when you have the key in the 'cranking' position. If the solenoid is getting full voltage but not working, you need to take it off and get it replaced/serviced. If it isn't, you need to work back through the electrics to find where the voltage is being lost.
Update:
So, tried putting car in gear then rocking car back and forth. Then tried to see (from above) the push rod on the Master. I notice mine is through the inner hole on the arm, so wondered if it had pulled through the arm (as I have heard mentioned on here before). So using a crow bar (only thing I had long enough to reach down) I attempted to move the pushrod to the outer hole position, but it seemed fairly solid, so I suspect it is in the right place. I then attempted to push the pushrod into the Master with the tip of the crowbar, but to be honest, I could barely see what I was doing as it is really something to be looked at from below.
Gave the pedal one more try, and it seemed firmer than before, gears could be selected easily, so turned the key, and Voila, it lives!
Made sure I could select reverse (without crunching any teeth this time) and wasted no more time. Car now at MOT station.
I mentioned the fun I had been having to the garage, and they suggested (as if I didn't know) that the car probably just needed using more!!
So, when I get it back from MOT, I guess I have a decision to make........
So, tried putting car in gear then rocking car back and forth. Then tried to see (from above) the push rod on the Master. I notice mine is through the inner hole on the arm, so wondered if it had pulled through the arm (as I have heard mentioned on here before). So using a crow bar (only thing I had long enough to reach down) I attempted to move the pushrod to the outer hole position, but it seemed fairly solid, so I suspect it is in the right place. I then attempted to push the pushrod into the Master with the tip of the crowbar, but to be honest, I could barely see what I was doing as it is really something to be looked at from below.
Gave the pedal one more try, and it seemed firmer than before, gears could be selected easily, so turned the key, and Voila, it lives!
Made sure I could select reverse (without crunching any teeth this time) and wasted no more time. Car now at MOT station.
I mentioned the fun I had been having to the garage, and they suggested (as if I didn't know) that the car probably just needed using more!!
So, when I get it back from MOT, I guess I have a decision to make........
Sandgrounder said:
, and they suggested (as if I didn't know) that the car probably just needed using more!!
I guess I have a decision to make........
So now to make a list of places / events to take it to I guess I have a decision to make........
The North West is FULL of interesting places and roads
at least three events are within easy reach: Barn Farm (Derbyshire) / S Club Heaven (Tyneside) / S Euro Tour of Wales
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