Pulling up to a stop sign, i pushed in the clutch preparing to go into first gear. When i pushed it in i heard a pop and it went to the floor.

The car stayed on and there was a weird whining sound and it wouldnt go into any gears. I turned the car off and put it in first gear and started it so i could pull my car out of the way. i had to push the pedal down pretty hard to get it to start, but once it was started in first gear it wouldnt move.

i popped the hood and there was smoke coming from around the slave cylinder and a burning smell. i got it towed home and now it wont start (pretty sure i drained the battery) but the clutch pedal seems to have pressure built back up.

Im hoping its just the slave cylinder that went out, but it seems more likely its either the clutch or transmission, or could something have happened in the engine to cause this? any input will be greatly appreciated.

My first thought is that it is clutch related, but thats just guessing. Unless something is notably out of line regarding the clutch line or slave cylinder, you are going to have to pull the transmission to determine if the clutch is good and to check the trans itself. You could have damage the clutch(it gave out) or the trans could have gotten damaged. When was the last time you checked your trans fluid levels?

Check the laster and slave cylinders first. if they seem intact and functional, get under the car and remove the access cover to the clutch housing. If you see a load of "horse hair" in the housing, your clutch went.

Originally posted by DarkOne
Check the laster and slave cylinders first. if they seem intact and functional, get under the car and remove the access cover to the clutch housing. If you see a load of "horse hair" in the housing, your clutch went.

id say the same thing also check to make sure that the clutch fork ball didn't snap. Its a lil ball screwed into the bell housing that the clutch fork snaps on to. That snaped on one of my friends 350z and same thing happened to him.

i agree with something clutch fork related. But thats weird it would just snap under normal use. But do check master and slave cylinder. Have someone press the clutch pedal and watch the slave and see if its pushing the lever going into the bellhousing.

sounds like pressure plate issues, maybe tob.

if you put the car into gear and started it and its not moving i'd say that its and obvious clutch issue since your well not moving. im wondering if the tob somehow wedged its way into the pressure plate springs and is now holding the clutch in the release position. I know it doesn't sound likely at all but it popped into my head quickly. you'd be able to see it by looking through the inspection cover.


the fact that it isnt moving makes me think it is not the master or slave cylinder.

and the fact that it happened at a stop sign i would say its not transmission.. how ever i like being wrong because that is when i learn.