1998 Dodge Truck clutch

DIANNAB

MEMBER
1998 DODGE TRUCK
5.9L
V8
4WD
MANUAL
149,000 MILES

There was no warning signs that the clutch or anything else had a problem but then all of a sudden as I was pulling out the truck died & when I went to restart it I noticed that the clutch petal was really loose & not normal feeling & when I turned the ignition over with clutch pushed in the truck jerked forward. I did get it started but it would not shift in to gear. The engine sounds great until I try to put it in gear & then truck sounds like & feels like I'm popping the clutch. I did manage to drive it to the mech. Shop by staying in 2nd gear after I got it moving it sounds fine & runs fine but it can not be shifted like normal but with enough RPM's I could shift from 1st to 2nd & truck went ok just the having to stop & start was a little dicey. So what is this? I have not had a clutch just go out without 1st having signs of slipping or some noise that would alert to a problem before things just went bam, but it is something to do with the clutch help I love my truck

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

This isn't a clutch problem. If it was, the truck wouldn't move at all or it would be slipping badly and you'd smell it and have a hard time building any speed. You have a clutch pedal problem. There's a master cylinder, a slave cylinder, and a hydraulic line between them. Either there's a leak or one of those parts has a leaking internal seal.

In effect, what you're experiencing with the inability to shift is what happens when you don't push the clutch pedal. We used to drive cars like that quite often. You have to stop the engine, shift to first gear, then start the engine when you're ready to move. You'll still have to push the clutch pedal to turn on the starter safety switch to allow the starter motor to run. Once you build up a little speed, let off the accelerator just enough to remove the load on the engine. The engine should be running at the same speed as the transmission is coasting. That will allow you to slide it into second gear. Accelerate, then do the same thing to slide it into third gear. Slowing down is a little trickier because you have to shift to neutral, then raise engine speed to match transmission speed. When they match, the shifter will slide into gear fairly easily.