Overheated clutch: is there such a thing?

[nate0123]

My car wasn't running very well yesterday. First, the cruise control ceased to work. Nothing happened when I pushed any of the buttons (rant)

Then, after driving about 25 minutes, then sitting in a parking lot for another 10 with the engine running, I tried to drive again and the shifter nearly refused to go into each gear, with the clutch fully disengaged. After forcing it into gear a few times, and either grinding or difficult shifts each time, I pulled off into the center lane and shut the car off and popped the hood for about 5-10 minutes. There was no burnt clutch smell.

When I started it back up, it seemed to be fine, and I drove another 10 minutes to Katie's apt. And when I drove it later last night and this morning, I had no problem shifting. But still no cruise control

So any ideas what would cause this disconcerting tendency to not shift? Could it be heat-related? It was around 90 yesterday. I thought my clutch was going out, but when it began to work again, I was only that much more confused. Should I have this looked at? My car has 31,9xx miles on it, so I don't think the clutch will be warrantied.

(uhm)

 

[Mike R]

MIght be a problem with the master/slave cylinder or hoses. Any other noises? How is the brake fluid level? The clutch lines are easy to see, they run on the front of the tranny.

As for the cruise, the connector is over on the passenger side strut tower. When mine did that it was disconnected. Could be a fuse also.


Oh, and yes, you can overheat a clutch. Usually by riding the heck out of it.

 

[nate0123]

No other noises out of the ordinary... Brake fluid level should be fine, I topped it off maybe 4-5 months ago, when the brake light was coming on under hard braking.

I wasn't really riding the heck out of the clutch yesterday. Most of the 25-minute drive was highway, so not much shifting. And I wasn't using it while sitting in the parking lot. :\

 

[acidbug]

dont forget there is a relay..behind the cruise control buttons..that occasionally turns itself off..just push it back in.

Hope that helps

chas

 

[Mike R]

If the light was coming on under hard braking then the pads are getting thin...

Acidbbg-you mean the on/off swtich?

 

[nate0123]

oh crap, I forgot about the button, it's on the side (lol)

I was thinking there was no on-off on my car (hand)

I'll check that when I get to my car

 

[nate0123]

If the light was coming on under hard braking then the pads are getting thin...

well, I did replace the fronts since then, but topping off the fluid got rid of the light

 

[speedhawaii]

yep

 

[nate0123]

well the cruise control works now

and the gearbox is still shifting fine, but I'm still nervous about it...

anyone have an explanation for it?

 

[nate0123]

yep

is this in response to my subject line? or to something else in the thread?

 

[Mike R]

Yep, freak incident or Underpants gnomes...whichever you'd like to believe...

There are a bunch of explanations, whether or not they are right is another.
Bubble in the clutch line, throwout bearing coming apart then popping back, clutch fork unseating then reseating, you were pressing the wrong pedal, LOL (dunno)

 

[acidbug]

well the cruise control works now

and the gearbox is still shifting fine, but I'm still nervous about it...

anyone have an explanation for it?

Glad i can help!(laugh)

about the gearbox shifting bad b/c of overheating..

It's possible...you can easily burn out your clutch in long heavy traffic. Especailly if you drive in it..allot..during the summer.

Chas

 

[hi-perf]

change your transmission fluid. i suggest 80w-90. see if that helps.