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Technical Dead clutch in 1.2 POP.

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Technical Dead clutch in 1.2 POP.

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Oztrekking

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Mar 11, 2018
Messages
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My 2015 500 pop, was fine, has done 126,000km in Australia, a lot of it long distance.

Today I used first several times, opening and closing a gate, went onto the road and the clutch decided to stop working, I think when I tried to shift into third.

I can't move the gear lever when the engine is running, though it moves when the engine is stopped. If the engine is on or off the clutch pedal feels different towards the end of its travel, like it's not doing anything, perhaps like there's an obstruction. The clutch fluid is fine.

I see (on the 500 US part of this forum), quoted below, the clutch diaphragm spring can fail and this caused a product recall. My car was made in Poland, unlike the Mexican made US cars, but it would seem likely to me that they may all have this issue. Does anyone know anything about this? Could there be a simpler fix?

Thanks, recall details copied from other post below:

Recall Number
16V302000
Recall Date
05/16/2016
Component
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Summary
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 21, 2010, through January 12, 2016, equipped with a manual transmission. The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.

Consequence
If the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

What Owners Should Do
The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S34.
 
I'd get an assistant to press the clutch pedal as you check the slave cylinder bolted to the top of the gearbox is pushing the release lever.

Although clutch fluid level is OK (are Aussie cars the same as UK, small separate reservoir for clutch fluid?), check these areas for leaks:
Clutch.JPG
After that, I'd bleed the system and see if that helps. I understand a worn master cylinder can suck air past the seals.
 
Last edited:
It could be a "simple" clutch slave failure. As above, get someone to operate the clutch pedal while you watch the slave (on top/front of the gearbox) to see that it's moving.

If it's not moving, it's visibly broken or there's fluid leaking out (unlikely by the sound of it) then the problem is outside the gearbox.

If the slave seems to be fine and dry, then the problem is inside the gearbox, so it's just got a bit more expensive. My money is on a failure on one or more of the clutch pressure plate fingers, which would give the release bearing nothing to press against.

A dodgy release bearing would usually make a scraping noise that disappears when you press the clutch in.. so it doesn't sound too likely from your description.

The diaphragm springs would likely make a scraping noise since the metal parts affected would be trying to escape between the clutch and flywheel).. .and you haven't reported any noises.

Whatever it is, if you take the gearbox off, fit a new clutch kit (plates and release bearing... buy Valeo and you'll never have to touch it again) since yours has put in a good innings, so no point to spend all that money on labour and then fit old parts.


Ralf S.
 
Oztrekking said:
My 2015 500 pop, was fine, has done 126,000km in Australia, a lot of it long distance.

Today I used first several times, opening and closing a gate, went onto the road and the clutch decided to stop working, I think when I tried to shift into third.

I can't move the gear lever when the engine is running, though it moves when the engine is stopped. If the engine is on or off the clutch pedal feels different towards the end of its travel, like it's not doing anything, perhaps like there's an obstruction. The clutch fluid is fine.

I see (on the 500 US part of this forum), quoted below, the clutch diaphragm spring can fail and this caused a product recall. My car was made in Poland, unlike the Mexican made US cars, but it would seem likely to me that they may all have this issue. Does anyone know anything about this? Could there be a simpler fix?

Thanks, recall details copied from other post below:

Recall Number
16V302000
Recall Date
05/16/2016
Component
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Summary
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 21, 2010, through January 12, 2016, equipped with a manual transmission. The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.

Consequence
If the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

What Owners Should Do
The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S34.
Click to expand...
Soon after I wrote the original message I had the car repaired, it was the broken diaph spring, but the whole clutch was replaced. The mechanic said the clutch plates had few signs of wear, he gave the old parts to me to examine.
 
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