02' WRX clutch/tranny problem

[scoobienator]

I'd like to hear some suggestion on a problem I just had today. 2002
WRX, manual transmission, 113K miles. Came home this afternoon and
while parking car, got it in the first gear, moved slightly forward
and turned the car off. The clutch pedal didn't move back to the
regular position. It remained stuck to the floor. I didn't want to
start the car again and just turned the key slightly on to find out if
the 'Check Engine' will remain lit and it did. At this point I don't
want to do anything and will probably call towing service to deliver
it straight to the repair shop. Any idea what could that be? Clutch or
some more serious tranny problem? Not sure if this is coincidence or
not, the tranny oil was flushed and changed just a couple of days ago.
The clutch itself was replaced @ 75K miles on the car and I didn't do
anything nasty with it, just regular driving. No signs of issues until
today. I'd like to get some ideas on possible cause before discussing
this with the mechanics (don't want to get ripped off).....BTW, these
are the same guys that flushed the tranny oil....

Thanks!

 

[hippo]

More info could maybe help.

Did pedal feel *exactly* as usual on last gearchange prior to staying o
the floor?

If it felt lighter/softer than usual, was that the only time or a gradua
process?

If the latter, did it start to change before or after fluid change?

Also may be worth running your finger down the back of the clutch peda
arm and seeing if it has hydraulic fluid on it (AFAIR it's a hydrauli
clutch on the 02 Rex).

My guess would be a hydraulic problem or a missing pedal return spring
Hope it's nothing more major, but seeing it's only just been worked on
sounds worthwhile ringing the shop. Cheers

 

[scoobienator]

Thanks for a reply. Yes, the pedal was exactly as usual and there was
no any 'soft' feeling in the past few days. Everything normal. Didn't
notice anything unusual after fluid change. A real surprise, as I just
came back home after 40 miles drive when this happened. No trace of
problem noticed during the trip. I presume if it ran out (or was
running out) of hydraulic fluid somehow, that would be a gradual
process with an earlier sign. I see no leak though...I searched the
web in the meantime and found a similar problem that was referring
master/slave clutch cylinder...looks like a copycat problem by the
described symptoms.

 

[johninKY]

My 66 Dodge truck has an hydraulic clutch. In the 20 years I have owned i
the clutch pedal has stayed on the floor 3 times. Every time it has don
this the problem has been the seals inside the slave cylinder had failed.

 

[scoobienator]

It's confirmed that the clutch cylinder is a culprit and has to be
replaced. Good to know transmission is honky dory. What's a bit
strange is that this morning just before the towing car came, I was
able to pull shifter in neutral. Managed to start the car and the
clutch pedal came back and started functioning!? I was even able to
shift gears and drive but still decided to tow car to avoid any
possible problems. Just wanted to post this to share in case somebody
gets into the same situation. Thanks all for input!

 

[hippo]

That makes sense with a slave cylinder. IME, if it's been sitting lon
enough to get completely cold again, it will often work fine until it get
enough heat back in it. Just doing slave should get you out of trouble
OTOH, if it was the master cylinder, I'd suggest doing both at the sam
time. Sounds like a relatively cheap fix & everyone's happy! Cheers

 

[hippo]

It's confirmed that the clutch cylinder is a culprit and has to be
replaced. Good to know transmission is honky dory. What's a bit
strange is that this morning just before the towing car came, I was
able to pull shifter in neutral. Managed to start the car and the
clutch pedal came back and started functioning!? I was even able to
shift gears and drive but still decided to tow car to avoid any
possible problems. Just wanted to post this to share in case somebody
gets into the same situation. Thanks all for input!

owne=
d it

do=
ne

Oops! Sorry to both of you. Think I had a brain fart and forgot t
attribute on my previous post.
Hmmm... silly old fool :