Clutch Problem

Tiny
AUDISORY98
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 AUDI A4
  • 13,500 MILES
I have a 1998 Audi A4 1.8t with a 5 speed trans. Not sure if these are related. About two weeks ago the amber ABS light started coming and the red brake light would beep three times. This happened when the car was first started. Came home yesterday and the clutch pedal went to the floor and would not return to the up position. I guess the car is stuck in 1st gear because if I turn the key the car tries to more forward. The engine was rebuild several years ago and I think the clutch was replaced at that time. I would like to try to repair this myself.
Sunday, July 22nd, 2012 AT 3:20 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You'll have to see if the clutch fork is bent, hydraulics bad etc. Can be a bunch of things. If you can see the clutch all the better as your release bering may have gone through the pressure plate which is common when a clutch fails.
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Sunday, July 22nd, 2012 AT 3:48 PM
Tiny
EXOVCDS
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,883 POSTS
Check the brake fluid level. The clutch hydraulic system uses
the same brake fluid reservoir.

If the fluid is low, then you have a leak in the clutch hyd system

Either a bad clutch master cylinder or a bad slave cyl.

Pull the pedal up by hand and then try bleeding the system (after
topping up the brake fluid).

If the level is OK, and you do not see any leaks. It could be that
the seals are "bypassing" internally (master or slave).

In which case, you need to determine which one of the two is bypassing.

Use a pair of pliers and pinch the hose that goes to the slave
cylinder at the transmission.

Slowly press on the clutch pedal. If it is ROCK solid now, then
the slave is bypassing. If it still goes to the floor, then the
master cylinder is bypassing.

I doubt that there is a problem with the clutch / release bearing, as
you did not mention any strange noises. A faulty mechanical part
in the clutch / transmission area would usually make a noise that
can be heard.

Good luck,

Thomas
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Monday, July 23rd, 2012 AT 5:22 PM

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