1989 Ford probe Turbo?

Question

When I push in the Clutch I am having trouble getting the car into gear. It grinds especially when you try to go into reverse.
I have tried to push on the gas pedal, pump the clutch several times. Nothing works I keep trying and pushing harder then it may go into a gear. I was stuck at a stop light the other day
Can you please tell me what will make this happen?
:cry:

thank u all for the responses...
I was told tht it was the Clutch...:(

Is there a way that I can tell for sure before buying an $200.00..something Clutch?

And if not do u know where is the bestplace to get 1 online..Fore they R cheaper?

Answer 1

I had a Tempo that had similiar problems. It used a plastic ratcheting device to take up slack in the clutch pedal. Over time, a couple of the teeth had popped off reducing the travel of the clutch cable. If you've ever pushed down on the clutch and heard a rather loud pop, that was one of the teeth popping off. It's almost impossible to see the ratchet unless you lay on your back on the drivers side floor and use a mirror and flashlight to peer up behind the clutch pedal. I had to order a new ratcheting device from Ford at nearly $60. Removing the clutch pedal and replacing the device was simple enough but working in the severly restricted space and darkness made replacing it a very frustrating pain in the behind.

Reply
Yes, my wife was told the same thing, "It's the clutch and needs to be replaced". With the car turned off and the door open, kneel on the ground and with your hand, grasp the clutch pedal pull it backwards as far as possible. You may want to snap it backwards sharply a couple of time. Then very slowly and gently push the pedal forward (down) with your hand and there's a good possibility you may hear a couple of pops or feel the pedal slip just a bit and then catch. As for the latter, you'll fell some resistance at first and then feel it jump forward just a bit. Before the ratchet on my car broke completely, to back up out of the garage, I had to put it in reverse and then start the engine. In the mean time, don't take it out of gear at stop signs or if you're going to have to set for a long time, shut the engine off and when ready to go, start it with it in first gear. Shoving and shoving the stick to get it in gear could break the weld loose on the shifting linkage (been there).

You might be best to take it to a Ford dealer and ask them to check it out since a lot of people don't know about the ratcheting device. You may wish to go to the parts man and ask him to pull up a schematic of the clutch pedal on your car and tell you if that particular model has the ratchet. Simply tell him you don't trust the advice of non-Ford shops and you were told the same symptoms on Tempos was often the ratchet. I'd also suggest you go to a Ford dealer in a smaller town where they have to depend on the business of repeat customers. I'm not saying the mega-dealers aren't honest, but if a few of their customers never come in again they'll never notice it. Small businesses know that treating you fairly and honestly now increases the chances of you returning when you want to buy another car.

Answer 2

One of two things, sounds like your clutch is not releasing. This could be a bad throw out bearing or arm, or leaking master/save cylinder. Have it checked.

Answer 3

yeah, make sure your slave cylinder has fluid in it. it looks like what you put brake fluid in, but smaller, on the drivers side. this is assuming it has hydraulic clutch. My truck does this, except it is because there is air in the system that i cannot seem to bleed out. Good luck!

Answer 4

the clutch needs replaced, will solve your problem any garage should do this job its not hard to do but does take several hours