I have a 1996 Ford Escort and it wont go into gear very easly. When i start the car in nutrual it wont go into any of the gears. But when i start it in first, it will start to move. The thing is the clutch is all the way to the floor and the car is moving like I am really driving it. After that i try to shift into the other gears and it is very difficult. I have to jam it, sometimes it wont even go into any gear. Can someone please help me.
2006-10-01 08:33:06 · 9 answers · asked by Christopher C 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You either have a clutch that is out of adjustment or a clutch assembly which is about to fail. I believe the Escort has a cable clutch, and it might be self adjusting.
If it is self adjusting, try pulling up on the pedal with your toe. The self adjuster will "ratchet" and adjust the slack out of the cable.
Other possibilities are a cable or self adjuster about to fail, or the cable can "pull through" he firewall due to tearing of the thin sheet metal the cable mounts in.
Normal lifespan for a clutch is between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, depending on how the car is driven and the type of driving done. Obviously stop and go city driving will wear out a clutch faster than highway driving.
2006-10-01 08:44:29 · answer #1 · answered by econofix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to assume that your clutch system is a hydraulic setup. Meaning, the pedal is actuated like a brake pedal, with brake fluid, but has its own system. Check under the hood to see if you have brake fluid in that little reservior, that is by itself. SHould be close to the brake reservior. If, it is low, then you have a slow leak, and it has just introduced air into the line, which is causing your current problem. Fix the leak, and then bleed the system good(that there is NO air in the line). And you should be ok after that. Good luck.
2006-10-01 08:37:31 · answer #2 · answered by Silverstang 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You definately need to change your clutch and get a new clutch cable quadrant with it. and Escorts do have gears...Geez... To be honest the price you pay for a new clutch, cylinder, and install your better off buy an new beater.
2006-10-01 08:46:14 · answer #3 · answered by Simmy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off check to make sure you have fluid in you clutch master clyinder. If you do check to see if looks dark, has contaiminates floating in it, or smells burnt. If everthing checks out then your master cylinder or slave cylinder may be bad. The easiest way to check is to start the car and press the pedel there should be pressor. If there is then depending on on your mechanical experence you may need to take it to a garage and have them do a more in depth check.
2006-10-01 09:02:06 · answer #4 · answered by WolfMan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i own a repair shop,,lol,,they don't catch on fire when the clutch goes out,,it sounds like it may have blown a cylinder on it for the clutch,,either that or the clutch disc is out of it,,that will make it do this,,but i can assure you its not going to burn up because of the clutch ,,you need to have someone check it out really good it may need new clutch and pressure plate in it,id have it checked and see what they say about it,,but i think its safe to say you are not going to get it caught on fire,,good luck i hope this help,s
2006-10-01 08:45:57 · answer #5 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a clutch problem.
Those cars are known for catching fire when the clutch goes out
get rid of it fast !
Drive it off the nearest mountain
or into a deep lake.
2006-10-01 08:36:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
you need to have your clutch adjusted. it may be on the verge of replacement which would suck, however from what you are saying it would only take a mechanic a short time and a few dollars to adjust it. i always believe that its best to pay a few dollars now and let a person with expeirience fix something than let just anyone try and fix it that ends up costing you big.
2006-10-01 08:38:46 · answer #7 · answered by mrbill1141 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ummm...hello, it's an "Escort"...it doesn't have gears...try changing your hampster food...they like the little pellets, not the chips...
2006-10-01 08:34:59 · answer #8 · answered by Billy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your clutch is dragging , it needs readjusting.
2006-10-01 10:31:06 · answer #9 · answered by gdwrnch40 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋