Clutch Chatter for 2003 P5

[Coqui258]

Hey guys... I did a search already, but mostly came up with problems with the 2002 P5. My question is... has anyone with a 2003 P5 had problems with the clutch chattering at cold start in the lower RPM's?

I was thinking that mine did this, but am not too sure. I have a 2003, so I was just wondering who else had this done.

 

[Minishotglass]

i drive a 2003 mp5 too. well, i do get a slight clutch chatter whenever I start the car.

1. I get in the car
2. Hold down the clutch
3. Place the key into the ignition
4. Fire up the engine
5. Slowly let go of the clutch

When I start the engine, it revs to 2k rpm and as i let go of the clutch, I hear a slight chatter. I dunno about but I learned how to drive stick in this car

 

[KYREDP5]

The TSB does not apply to 2003s, so one would assume that the problem was fixed in them.

 

[Minishotglass]

i dunno if this is relevant but here you go
http://web2.airmail.net/emann/protegefaq/tsb/01-004-03.html

 

[bradman]

havn't noticed any problems with mine so far..it's less than a week old though

 

[Action Jackson]

I get that bucking effect, but not the chattering from the descriptions others have written.

I just start in 2nd or even 3rd to take care of that.

 

[shortyhawaii1]

I drive like like I'm racing it and havne't had any problems with clutch chatter. Sorry.

 

[TexP5]

i drive a 2003 mp5 too. well, i do get a slight clutch chatter whenever I start the car.

1. I get in the car
2. Hold down the clutch
3. Place the key into the ignition
4. Fire up the engine
5. Slowly let go of the clutch

When I start the engine, it revs to 2k rpm and as i let go of the clutch, I hear a slight chatter. I dunno about but I learned how to drive stick in this car

This is not the "clutch chatter" problem. That phrase (clutch chatter) is really wrong, the problem has nothing to do with a noise. But it's the term that seems to have stuck, so... In reality it's a slipping clutch. When moving forward from a stop in first gear, the clutch slips and the car bucks like a mother&^%$#@ The TSB allows for a clutch upgrade. Theoretically, this upgrade is already installed on 2003's but it wouldn't surprise me if there were a few of them around that had this problem.

 

[Coqui258]

The only thing I'm worried about is if they fixed it while in mid-production of the 2003 P5... any comments?

 

[TexP5]

Hard to say about something like that unless we can find out exactly when they modified the clutches. I've never seen any specific date, but that's kind of what I was thinking when I said I wouldn't be surprised if there were SOME 2003's that had the same clutch as the 2002. But your problem sure sounds like it.

 

[Coqui258]

Well, let's see if you can help me in evaluating the situation. At cold start, or even afterwards, I SHOULD be able to start on first gear at under 2000RPM's, correct? And if I do, it SHOULDN'T hesitate? Please help me in deciding if this is a problem before I take it in.... thanks!

 

[TexP5]

Sure you should be able to, but there's two possible things that are really pretty similar. P5's are finicky at low RPM's. But that is just the engine mounts and the desing of everything. The car will be a little difficuly at low RPM's even on a good day. You just have to learn to balance the gas pedal to smooth it out.

The clutch problem feels similar but is MUCH worse and playing the gas doesn't help. Despite theTSB calling it Cold start clutch chatter, it happens in warm engine situations as well. You are stopped at a light. Engage first gear when the light changes and as you start to move forward the car bucks violently and playing the gas does NOT help. The only way to stop it is to depress the clutch again and sh ift it out and back into gear.

So I guess the best way to define the difference is...if you can smooth it out with the gas pedal, that's NOT the clutch, it's just the rough low RPM Protege engine. If you know you have let the clutch out fully and playing with the gas pedal does not help, then you've got clutch slippage.

 

[TexP5]

Also, where are you in Philly? I grew up in the Northeast near Oxford Circle. Lived there until I was 27.

 

[Coqui258]

Ahhhh, I see! Ok then that means I just have a finicky engine! I don't have that chatter, at least I don't think I do.

I'm in East Oak Lane, around cheltenham Ave. My bro lives around Oxford Circle, he's on Bridge Street.

 

[TexP5]

Hey I spent a lot of time on and around Bridge street as a kid. Several friens lived near there. I hvaen't been home in a LONG time. How's that neighborhood these days?

 

[Coqui258]

Well, I don't know much about it since my bro is the one that lives there, but from what I can see, I think it's starting to go bad. There are teens outside on the corners at all times of the day, and they're everywhere. Not sure if it's always been like that, but it doesn't look too good for a peaceful neighborhood.

 

[bradman]

Sure you should be able to, but there's two possible things that are really pretty similar. P5's are finicky at low RPM's. But that is just the engine mounts and the desing of everything. The car will be a little difficuly at low RPM's even on a good day. You just have to learn to balance the gas pedal to smooth it out.

The clutch problem feels similar but is MUCH worse and playing the gas doesn't help. Despite theTSB calling it Cold start clutch chatter, it happens in warm engine situations as well. You are stopped at a light. Engage first gear when the light changes and as you start to move forward the car bucks violently and playing the gas does NOT help. The only way to stop it is to depress the clutch again and sh ift it out and back into gear.

So I guess the best way to define the difference is...if you can smooth it out with the gas pedal, that's NOT the clutch, it's just the rough low RPM Protege engine. If you know you have let the clutch out fully and playing with the gas pedal does not help, then you've got clutch slippage.

I experienced this driving a friend's 95 civic a while back. It was pretty bad...felt like the clutch just coudln't grab and it the whole car would buck like you guys are describing. Now that I know what you're describing, I can confirm that I havn't noticed this in the slightest with my new 2003.

 

[FunkyBuddha]

i drive a 2003 mp5 too. well, i do get a slight clutch chatter whenever I start the car.

1. I get in the car
2. Hold down the clutch
3. Place the key into the ignition
4. Fire up the engine
5. Slowly let go of the clutch

When I start the engine, it revs to 2k rpm and as i let go of the clutch, I hear a slight chatter. I dunno about but I learned how to drive stick in this car

.


I get this, but it disappears within a few minutes of starting the car. Might not be a big deal.

 

[upstop]

This sounds like it is hapining with my car... Although this is the first stick shift I have driven so I will spend the next couple of days evaluating it. My PR5 is a 2003 I picked it up in march but the manufacture date is november of 2003 so if thay did take care of this it is most likley on cars built in 2003....

 

[bradman]

mine was manufactured in april 2003: no such problem yet.