1996 Ford Ranger My clutch is hard.

1996 FORD RANGER
212,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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CURLZ
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When I press in my clutch, at first it's easy but as I get closer to the floor it becomes real hard to depress. Shifting into gear is fine and not a problem. Also, and I don't know if it's related, but my engine revs whether the clutch is pressed in or not. Most of the time I can turn off the truck for a second, then restart it and it's like it reset itself. And works fine. Is this a clutch issue or a transmission issue.

I can't afford a mechanic and was hoping to do this myself. Any help you can give me would be great!!

Thanks!
Sep 18, 2010 at 10:03 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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If the clutch is still working correctly, continue using it. As far as the trans, it doesn't have anything to do with that.

AS far as the engine idle, it sounds like the idle air control valve may be sticking and causing problems for you. Remove it from the throttle body and check to see if it is clean and working. If you plan to clean it, make sure you get the proper cleaner from a parts store.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
Sep 18, 2010 at 10:19 PM
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CURLZ
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I'll try that, thank you.

But I do have a question about the clutch. The thing is that it doesn't catch. Probably should have clarified that earlier.
Sep 18, 2010 at 10:29 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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When you say it doesn't catch, what do you mean? Isn't the cluch being disengaged from the engine?
Sep 19, 2010 at 1:35 PM
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CURLZ
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The best way to explain is to give you an example. Let's say I'm parked and want to go straight. I press the clutch and put it in 1st. Shifting the gear into the slot is fine but it's like it's not registering that it's in 1st. When I release the clutch it either doesn't want to go or moves real slow. Like it's in neutral. And it's like that with every gear. Hope that makes sense.
Sep 19, 2010 at 6:00 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Okay, that makes sense. Does the engine rev when this happens?
Sep 21, 2010 at 1:02 AM
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