Technical Clutch pedal getting stuck down

[StopWatchingTV]

Hi all, new member here,
I recently bought a V reg Scudo EL 19.TD and it's been running fine until last night on my way to work. Occasionally, probably about half of gear changes, I depress the clutch and there's a clicking noise and the pedal stays down and I have to pull it back up, there's still tension in the pedal, it's just like it's caught on something.
The clicking noise seems to come from the pedal, I've had a look at it with a torch but can't seem to find anything. The trouble is it only seems to get stuck while I'm driving, so I can't check it!
My temporary fix to get it home was a piece of rope on the pedal to yank it back up when it gets stuck, and I'm driving another car at the moment til it's fixed. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Tom

 

[Andycabs]

Could be the clutch release bearing preparing its grand finale. This is the one that sits on the clutch inside the bell housing. Renewal normally best to fit new clutch as well...change to a fixed plate clutch if it's a dual mass...cheaper and less trouble for the future.

 

[StopWatchingTV]

Hmmm, new clutch, sounds expensive, any idea on costs? Weirdly though, it hasn't done it at all today, I've been driving it around town and it hasn't done it once. Will see how it goes for the next few days and then consult a garage.
Thanks for your help,
Tom

 

[Andycabs]

How many miles has the vehicle done? My first clutch lasted 140K, the second never as long-around 80-100K, heavy left foot they can burn out in less than 60K. I'm on 190K so safe for a while.

If memory serves correct the pedal does this for some time, to lull you into false sense of security (engines and mechanialics are like that)!...Then wallop-normally in the middle of nowhere a 100 miles from home-it stays down and will be locked solid never to function again.

Yes it is very expensive at the garage. If you have the time and resources it will be a lotsa cheaper to do yourself. On the other hand hopefully I may be totally wrong and its a mechanical part snagging around the clutch pedal? Good luck!

 

[bigdong]

Might be wrong but I seem to remember the older ones are cable operated?. If this is the case try renewing the cable. If it is hydraulic try bleeding it, it might just be air in the system.

 

[mantaylor]

Theres a chance that the spring that is on the clutch pedal to aid pressing/depressing is sticking. I had this before, even had a van that did not have so had to buy one.

The symptoms were exactly the same as your describing. The spring is located on the underside of the clutch pedal. If its a cable clutch then it defo will have or is supposed to have one. The clutches are super springing and heavy if the spring is not there.

They can be taken off and lubricated by un clipping the the d clips that hold it on to the ball joins on the mounting points. There is a spring that sits in between two plastic guides.

BE CAREFUL WHEN REMOVING /RE INSTALLING THE SPRING AS ITS PRE LOADED AND CAN JUMP OFF AT QUITE A RATE.

http://eper.fiatforum.com/eper/navi...INT_MODE=0&EPER_CAT=SP&GUI_LANG=3&WINDOW_ID=1

YOU CAN SEE IT HERE ... ITEMS 6-8-9

 

[Andycabs]

Any update please of what was the problem?

 

[Eddiethemartian]

This sounds to me like the adjuster in the clutch cable has failed. When it happened on my van, a new cable banished the problem forever...

 

[BorisMcSnizzle]

Don't mean to take the pi** but have you made sure its not catching the car mat or carpet? Only ask as I use to have a car that if my foot was at a differant postion than usual the mat would slip enough to hold the pedal

 

[mantaylor]

When my auto adjuster went on the cable it went slack as the gripper in the lining failed to take up any slack. £50 quid for new one if i remember right.