Will not shift when engine is on

Welcome to 2CarPros.

If it won't shift when the engine is running, then the clutch isn't disengaging. If there are no strange sounds associated with this new problem, I suspect the cable has broken or needs readjusted. Here are the directions specific to this vehicle for clutch cable adjustment. The attached pictures correlate with these directions.

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clutch cable

1983 Chevrolet Chevette L4-98 1.6L
Clutch Adjustment
Vehicle Transmission and Drivetrain Clutch Adjustments Clutch Adjustment
CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT

Figure 4 / See Pic 1

Figure 5 / See Pic 2

1. Perform initial ball stud adjustment as follows:

a. Place gauge J-28449 with flat end against clutch housing front face and the hooked end positioned in the bottom depression of the clutch fork, Fig. 4.

B. Turn ball inward until clutch release bearing contacts clutch spring.

C. Install and torque lock nut to 25 ft. Lbs. (33 Nm).

D. Remove gauge.

2. Attach and adjust clutch cable as follows:

a. Install clutch cable through hole in clutch fork and seat, then install return spring.

B. From engine compartment, pull cable until clutch pedal is firmly against pedal stop and hold in position, Fig. 5.

C. Install snap ring in first fully visible groove in cable from sleeve, then release cable.

D. Clutch pedal lash should be 0.58 to 1.08 in. (15-27 mm), if not, proceed to step 3.

3. If clutch pedal lash is insufficient, remove snap ring from cable and allow cable to move into dash by one cable notch, then reinstall snap ring, Fig. 5.

4. If clutch pedal lash is excessive, remove snap ring from cable, and pull cable out of dash by one cable notch, then reinstall snap ring, Fig. 5.

5. Check to ensure clutch pedal lash is 0.58-1.08 in. (15-27 mm).

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Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

When you try to engage the trans with the clutch depressed, does it grind as if you are not depressing the clutch?

Okay, then the clutch isn't disengaging. The only thing I can say is you need to start at the pedal and work toward the clutch. Since this system isn't hydraulic, either something has broken (pressure plate, release bearing, release fork) or the cable itself is bad and out of adjustment.

If the cable is good, the release fork would be my first guess. A bearing will make noise, but shouldn't cause this. As far as the pressure plate, well it could be. The only way to be sure it to take things apart.

Welcome back:

As far as a pressure plate, you need to check the pressure plate springs to see if they are broken. Again, the best thing is to remove it for inspection. Does the clutch fork move when you depress the clutch? If it does, either it is broken, is disconnected from the release bearing, or the pressure plate is bad.

Let me know.
Joe

Welcome back:

Yes, that is what presses the release bearing against the pressure plate to disengage the transmission from the flywheel. When released, the pressure plate springs keep pressure on the clutch disc pushing it against the flywheel. When you press the clutch, that bearing releases the pressure from the pressure plate springs allowing the clutch disc and flywheel do spin freely. Do you have any pictures of the pressure plate and clutch disc?

Joe

Hi Mike:

Honestly, the pictures are fine and the pressure plate to be fine too. You didn't notice any broken springs, correct?

Joe

The tangs (springs) around the pressure plate are what move. When the release bearing pushes against them, they should move in and release the pressure from the clutch disc and disengage the transmission. Is that what is happening? I used one of your pictures and circled where the release bearing pushes. Those tangs are very rigid, but when pressure is applied to them, their pressure is released from the disc. Are the two of them stuck together somehow?

Joe

Something is stuck together then. Remove the pressure plate and check if the clutch is stuck to the flywheel. Something is going on there. You should be able to move the disc when the pressure plate is released. At this point, it needs to come off the engine.

Let me know.

Joe

Was the clutch disc stuck in anyway? So help me understand. The pressure plate is stuck in it's present position and won't release, is that correct? If that's the case, the pressure plate is bad.