Hi guys,

new here, as my old car (1998) was a real gem in the 12 years I've owned it. It's a fairly unknown model by Fiat. I hope, any of you even know the car I'm driving...

Anyway, I collected my car from the repair service this morning. They had replaced the broken clutch cable.
When I drove off, I did notice something was different with the clutch. First, it jumped then I stalled the car. But what is lasting and worrying me is that changing gears is an act of force now. Especially 1st and 3rd gear (forward). Only changing into 5th gear is smooth. Before my visit to the garage the gears went smooth as butter.

Since it's Saturday I can't go back and will have to wait till Monday. They only opened for me to pick the car up in the first place. I need the car, can I keep driving without breaking something?

What do you think?

Mareana said:

Hi guys,

new here, as my old car (1998) was a real gem in the 12 years I've owned it. It's a fairly unknown model by Fiat. I hope, any of you even know the car I'm driving...

Anyway, I collected my car from the repair service this morning. They had replaced the broken clutch cable.
When I drove off, I did notice something was different with the clutch. First, it jumped then I stalled the car. But what is lasting and worrying me is that changing gears is an act of force now. Especially 1st and 3rd gear (forward). Only changing into 5th gear is smooth. Before my visit to the garage the gears went smooth as butter.

Since it's Saturday I can't go back and will have to wait till Monday. They only opened for me to pick the car up in the first place. I need the car, can I keep driving without breaking something?

What do you think?

Click to expand...

Hi, and welcome to FF,

it sounds as if they have not adjusted the cable correctly,

it's pretty simple.. ;
basically you have a plastic / metal clip at your foot end of the car

a metal cable going across the engine / gearbox to an arm that works the clutch mechanism... this end has a bolt and locknut arrangement.

it should be possible to simply adjust this cable a little at a time to find the point that works best..

( I'll not be super precise in detail..as the UK cars have FLUID instead of a cable - because we sit on the other side of the Marea)

have a look,
IF it's a nut and thread ,, you can try and adjust it ,
1 complete turn of the thread at a time..,

I've just searched-- but info. is limited due to being a UK based forum .. where the Cable is a rare thing..

Charlie - Marea weekend JTD

similar to this..!!

Mareana said:

Hi guys,

new here, as my old car (1998) was a real gem in the 12 years I've owned it. It's a fairly unknown model by Fiat. I hope, any of you even know the car I'm driving...

Anyway, I collected my car from the repair service this morning. They had replaced the broken clutch cable.
When I drove off, I did notice something was different with the clutch. First, it jumped then I stalled the car. But what is lasting and worrying me is that changing gears is an act of force now. Especially 1st and 3rd gear (forward). Only changing into 5th gear is smooth. Before my visit to the garage the gears went smooth as butter.

Since it's Saturday I can't go back and will have to wait till Monday. They only opened for me to pick the car up in the first place. I need the car, can I keep driving without breaking something?

What do you think?

Click to expand...

Hi, and welcome to FF,

it sounds as if they have not adjusted the cable correctly,

it's pretty simple.. ;
basically you have a plastic / metal clip at your foot end of the car

a metal cable going across the engine / gearbox to an arm that works the clutch mechanism... this end has a bolt and locknut arrangement.

it should be possible to simply adjust this cable a little at a time to find the point that works best..

( I'll not be super precise in detail..as the UK cars have FLUID instead of a cable - because we sit on the other side of the Marea)

have a look,
IF it's a nut and thread ,, you can try and adjust it ,
1 complete turn of the thread at a time..,

I've just searched-- but info. is limited due to being a UK based forum .. where the Cable is a rare thing..

Charlie - Marea weekend JTD

sounds like the cable needs adjusting properly ......What engine Marea ????

CFREITAS said:

sounds like the cable needs adjusting properly ......What engine Marea ????

Click to expand...

Neverth may be the ideal person here..
franglais.. is yours a cable clutch..??

Does it move if you start it in first with cluch pressed in?
Gears should go in with some tries even when not running. Some might not engage first try but engaging other gears might align the teeth.

Most likely a pre-facelift and not a 1.4.
Take the battery and batterytray off and youll see the cable, it should follow the frame, then loop back into the clutch fork.
The cable sleeve is attached to the fork lever and the end of the cable with adjustment is attached to the gearbox.

The padal travel should be about 17cm when measured from centre of pedal.

If it is jumpy and the sleeve does not look twisted, you can try removing the end from gearbox and see if it moves by hand by pushing it in.

If it comes off in the pedal end, it is just hooked by pulling the pedal up.

If it looks to be routed correclty and it is still sticking, take the left wheel off and you should see where the cable comes trough the firewall
It shouldn't be too tight of a bend. This might be the easiest thing to check if you dont want to take the battery tray off.

If youre not in hurry, just take it back.
If you can get it to neutral while driving, just double clutch to match the gearbox speed so the synchros don't cook.

Thanks for all your suggestions. Unfortunately, I know a ton more about computers than about cars. I know how to change the oil and add water. sorry about that. I'm just happy when they drive me from A to B.

I told my son about the problems and he came round immediately. He drove around the block and instantly took the car back to garage for them to look at on Monday. He also noticed the car wouldn't stop when it was not in gear and he had to stay on the break. The clutch pedal isn't in the correct position either.

The car is a German Marea 1.8 L straight-4 16v 1,747 cc 114 PS (84 kW; 112 hp). (I really know Nothing about cars.)

I'll let you know what the garage said.

Thanks for the update..
Sounds as if the cable is not adding enough tension/ strain on the clutch operating arm..
if its an adjustable cable..it should be a 10 minute job for the garage.

Charlie

Well, varesecrazy and some others of you guys were right. It was just an adjustment of the cable that was required. The car is back to its old (great!) self. The gears change smooth again.
The garage was fair, too. Apart from a missing apology they didn't charge anything.
Phew! Gotta be grateful for this these days.

Thanks again for everybody's thoughts and ideas on the matter. I really appreciate it! :worship:

Greetings,
Mareana