Clutch not engaging properly

Tiny
REICHERTLR
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
Just put in a new clutch fork along with master cylinder and slave cylinder. With the car not running you can put it in any gear with no problem. But when you start the car that goes way, and you cannot put it in gear. If you force the shifter into first the car starts to move even though the clutch is pushed in.
Thursday, February 17th, 2022 AT 4:20 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

The clutch isn't releasing the transmission and engine. When you installed the new hydraulics, did you properly bleed the system?

The bleeder is on the slave cylinder. See pic 1. Have a helper pump the clutch about 5 times. Then, while you hold the pedal at the floor, open the bleeder until no air comes out.

Also, check for leaks and make sure the new fork is properly attached at the fulcrum. See pic 2.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pics below.
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Thursday, February 17th, 2022 AT 4:55 PM
Tiny
REICHERTLR
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Joe,

Thanks for the information. Yes, I have done all that you suggested, and it does not help. Why will the clutch work properly with the engine off and not with the engine rune?
Could this be a clutch and pressure plate problem?

Leonard
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Friday, February 18th, 2022 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

When the engine is off, there is nothing preventing it from shifting. Once it's started, then the clutch separating the transmission from a moving flywheel is needed. That is why it won't shift.

When you had the transmission out, did you replace the pressure plate, clutch disc, and release bearing? See pic 1 below. Also, did you use a clutch alignment tool to align the clutch disc, flywheel, and pressure plate cover before tightening the pressure plate?

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, February 18th, 2022 AT 4:03 PM
Tiny
REICHERTLR
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
No, I did not replace anything. Only replaced the clutch fork which was broken.
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Friday, February 18th, 2022 AT 4:18 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Okay, do me a favor. Have a helper depress the clutch while you watch where the slave places pressure on the release fork you replaced. See if you notice movement. There is a chance you have a bad (new) master cylinder or slave cylinder.

Let me know if there were issues prior to replacing the release fork.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, February 18th, 2022 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
REICHERTLR
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Joe, Thanks again for your time and input. :)
Everything seems to be moving fine. I put a new master cylinder and slave cylinder in.
The clutch was always released very low to the floor before this, but it did work.
Not sure why the fork broke. I inspected the pressure plate when I had the transmission out and did not see anything wrong. That is why I didn't replace it.
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Saturday, February 19th, 2022 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

First, you are very welcome for anything I am able to help with.

If everything was in good condition, then either something was reinstalled incorrectly (release bearing), the pressure plate release was damaged, or we are missing something really simple. If the slave is moving the clutch fork, it should be pressing the release bearing against the pressure plate and taking pressure off the clutch disc via the pressure plate. That disengages the engine and transmission allowing you to shift. Something is preventing a simple process from happening.

I attached the directions below for the replacement of the clutch disc. Read through them and see if there is anything you may have missed.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Saturday, February 19th, 2022 AT 12:20 PM
Tiny
REICHERTLR
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Joe, I figured it out! :) I adjusted the master cylinder linkage to the clutch. I assumed that the master cylinder that I took out was correct and that is what I reference. It was not. All is fine now. Thanks for your time and help!

Regards, Leonard
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Saturday, February 19th, 2022 AT 3:18 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

That is a very simple mistake to make. I'm glad you got it figured out.

Please feel free to come back anytime in the future. You are always welcome here.

Take care,

Joe
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Saturday, February 19th, 2022 AT 6:05 PM

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