clutch pedal stuck all the way down...

[ehD]

just had this car for my 99 boxster in 3 days and on the fwy i was pushing down the clutch in 1st gear and the clutch just got stuck in its position all the way down. basically stuck in the fwy in los angeles middle lane blocking tons of cars on the 101 fwy. i could manually pry the clutch pedal up half way but the second it's a little pressed the clutch pedal will sink all the way in automatically. so i had to get aaa flatbed tow truck already and the car is in a parking lot now.

anyone have an idea of what could be wrong with the car? i can still start the engine, and i can switch between gears. so its as if the clutch is always pressed down... but it's not engaging i guess, i can't release it!

help!

[ohioboxster]

Good chance that the line has a hole in it and you lost fluid. I had the same problem when a rock or possibly someone improperly jacked the car up and fractured the clutch line. The line is aluminum with a blue plastic type coating on it. Replaced mine in my garage for $63.00 plus fluid. Its a pretty simple fix in my opinion.

I just read your post again and I may have misunderstood. So you can change gears while its running and if the clutch would release you think the car would move?

[joshuaalbert]

It's usually my GAS pedal that's stuck to the floor.

[ehD]

sorry but what line has a hole in it? i'm glad to hear its a potential cheap fix... but when i meant that i can shift i meant that i can change gears but the car won't move or anything. it's just as if the clutch was fully pressed all the time. thanks for the fast reply

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by ehD

sorry but what line has a hole in it? i'm glad to hear its a potential cheap fix... but when i meant that i can shift i meant that i can change gears but the car won't move or anything. it's just as if the clutch was fully pressed all the time. thanks for the fast reply

Hi,

Your description isn't very thorough. Do you have a leak? Is the underside of your car wet or sprayed with hydraulic fluid? Can you put the car in gear? With the engine On? Off? What's the fluid level in the Hydraulic Fluid Reservoir in the front trunk? At or Below the FULL line? If below, by how much?

Personally, I don't think you have a burst Hydraulic line. From your description so far, I'd say that something mechanical broke in the clutch itself, or you have a failed Master Cylinder.

But, I'm not certain of anything since your description is so lacking. Give us more information please...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[rebeltown]

Had the clutch slave cylinder seize on my Healey 3000 and had the same results...

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by rebeltown

Had the clutch slave cylinder seize on my Healey 3000 and had the same results...

Hi,

That's another possibility, but I don't think that would effect the Clutch Pedal, it should still return to it's normal position. You'd most like have either no resistance, or full resistance in the pedal if you pushed it with a bad slave...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[ehD]

Do you have a leak?
At the time I'm not sure, it was pouring heavy rain. The day after I had it towed there was no sign of leaks.

Is the underside of your car wet or sprayed with hydraulic fluid?
Honestly I don't know what hydraulic fluid is but yes, it was very wet from the rain.

Can you put the car in gear?
Yes I can shift between all the gears.

With the engine On? Off?
Yes and yes.

What's the fluid level in the Hydraulic Fluid Reservoir in the front trunk?
Hrmm I'm not sure I don't have the car with me right now...

At or Below the FULL line? If below, by how much?
Ditto...

Personally, I don't think you have a burst Hydraulic line. From your description so far, I'd say that something mechanical broke in the clutch itself, or you have a failed Master Cylinder. But, I'm not certain of anything since your description is so lacking. Give us more information please...
The clutch seems fine.. it seems like its the pedal? I could be completely wrong... Are these repairs going to cost an arm and a leg? I just got this car 3 days ago and I have a feeling I'll be in a world of pain in terms of repair costs soon =(

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by ehD

Do you have a leak?
At the time I'm not sure, it was pouring heavy rain. The day after I had it towed there was no sign of leaks.

Is the underside of your car wet or sprayed with hydraulic fluid?
Honestly I don't know what hydraulic fluid is but yes, it was very wet from the rain.

Can you put the car in gear?
Yes I can shift between all the gears.

With the engine On? Off?
Yes and yes.

What's the fluid level in the Hydraulic Fluid Reservoir in the front trunk?
Hrmm I'm not sure I don't have the car with me right now...

At or Below the FULL line? If below, by how much?
Ditto...

Personally, I don't think you have a burst Hydraulic line. From your description so far, I'd say that something mechanical broke in the clutch itself, or you have a failed Master Cylinder. But, I'm not certain of anything since your description is so lacking. Give us more information please...
The clutch seems fine.. it seems like its the pedal? I could be completely wrong... Are these repairs going to cost an arm and a leg? I just got this car 3 days ago and I have a feeling I'll be in a world of pain in terms of repair costs soon =(

Hi,

OK - better description, thank you. I think I'd be inclined to bet on the Master Cylinder. Relax, the pain isn't so great, especially if you can do the work yourself - are you a DIYer? You can save a bundle if you are.

The Master Cylinder is made by Lucas I believe (the Brake MC is) and so a generic part may be available. The Porsche PN# is 996.423.171.05 and it runs $50 or so. But, first, you need to confirm this by checking the hydraulic fluid level (the Brake MC and Clutch MC share the same fluid reservoir).

If it turns out not be be the MC, then I'd suspect the actuating arm which transmits the force of the Slave cylinder to the Pressure Plate by acting on the Release Bearing. In Porsche Speek, this is called the Clutch Operating Lever - PN# 012.141.71.B. This part lives in the Bellhousing and if replacing it, I'd consider just doing a new clutch at the same time to ammortize the Labor costs. But, I doubt this is the culprit, because the Clutch Pedal would operate normally, but with no effect.

I'm still betting on the MC. Is there a possibility that the Dealer or Seller would lend some assistance with it since you've had the car such a few days? Do you have recourse against them under Lemon Law or other Consumer protections? I'd look into this before too much time goes by...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[ehD]

Well I got it towed to a shop. The guy who sold me the car actually picked me up after the car was towed and we really haven't discussed who's responsible for anything in particular. I bought it directly from him through craigslist and just waiting for an estimate. He mentioned he had some credit at this shop, so we'll see how everything goes. I would someday like to be a DIYer but really don't know much about cars.

If it is indeed the master cylinder though, what could cause this to break in the first place? I'm not really sure if the blame is really on my side or his side or 50/50.

The thing is I've paid off his loan to the bank for the car and am still waiting for the pink slip which is being sent to me. We've already completed a bill of sale so that I can transfer ownership without his signature.

I really appreciate all this insight and will let you know the results. I'm really excited about being a boxster owner but I feel like I really need to brush up on all of its parts and how to troubleshoot things. Is there a good place to start to understand how the car works? To be honest this is my first MT car and I had just learned a week ago and I can drive it well enough but don't really understand all the mechanics behind it.

Thanks so much for all the boxster wisdom!