Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting clutch pedal stuck to floor !?!?

Just yesterday my car developed a strange problem. Occasionally, after coming to a complete stop, I will go to let off the clutch but the clutch doesnt move. It lifts off the floor about 1 inch, maybe. The clutch is partially engaged thus I can give it lots of gas to get the car moving. Once the car is moving the clutch slowly returns to its normal position within about 10 seconds.

Even when the clutch is completly to the floor it has not completly disengaged, thus shifting is incredibly difficult.

The clutch has 65k miles on it but shows no signs of slipping. Any ideas? I could use all the help I can get. Thanks.

Jonathan Knez
98 SVT
65k miles
Indianapolis

Look for a fluid leak, your slave cylinder sounds like it has gone bad.

Holy crap was that a fast response. I will as soon as I can. Thanks for the tip.

That's why he's a Hardcore CEG'er!

I have done a little research on the slave cylinder idea. It seems to me that the transaxle will have to be removed to gain access to the slave cylinder. Is there any other way to get at the slave cylinder to replace the seals??? Please.

Could the clutch problems be anything else? Maybe the master cylinder leak instead? I know the master cylinder shares the same fluid resevoir with the brakes, and the brakes feel fine so maybe this isnt it. Anyone else have ideas before I get in over my head removing the transaxle (or empty my wallet having someone else do it). Thanks for all the help.

After looking back through the archives I ran related another problem I have with the contour to the clutch problem. My brake light came on the same day I experienced the clutch problem. It came on very intermidatly (sorry for spelling) at first but after about 30 miles it was on for good.

Currently the car is 70 miles away. I wont have a chance to check the brake fluid levels for another week. Hopefully its something in the master cylinder that leaked out brake fluid, thus causing the clutch problems.

that happened when my clutch went.. it was to the floor.. I could press it down a little bit.. but it went down with no resistance. Either way it looks like the trans is going to have to be dropped in order to gain access to the clutch/master cylinder. Good luck.

My question is , WHERE Exactly do you find and get to the the dust cover or plate covering the slave cyclinder, to be able to bleed it.


The bleeding process is similar to bleeding your brakes.
There is a brass bleed valve on top of the tranny case, under the airbox. Attach a section of clear plastic hose to the valve, and submerge the other end in a container of fresh brake fluid. To bleed the clutch, pump the clutch many times (20-30) to force the air into the slave cylinder, keep the clutch depressed, and open the bleed valve allowing air and fluid to escape, and close the bleed valve once the fluid stops flowing. You should repeat this process until there is clean brake fluid coming out of the valve with no air bubbles. Make sure to keep an eye on the master cylinder, and top it off as necessary using clean, fresh brake fluid out of a sealed container.