Sticking Clutch?

[350zQ45a]

I seem to recall some people on other forums mentioning this, and I think it's happening to me

Occasionaly when I'm driving well very aggressively, it feels like the clutch sticks in and doesn't disengage or come out the entire way. It's really disconcerting and corrects itself almost immediately.

Is this something I should be aware of? My car is abotu to go out of bumper to bumper so maybe I'm just being paranoid

[PalmerWMD]

I suspect your linkage could do with some re-adjusting.

Fred..

[350zQ45a]

Wow I was reallly tired when I wrote this post.

I forgot to mention it's the clutch pedal, not the clutch. Sometimes the pedal seems to not come out fully.

[PalmerWMD]

hmmm,

If i read teh symptoms correctly, thismay be a sign of a worn clucth pedal return spring..

Was your car new or used? If new, its a fluke, if used likely the last driver liked to stay at red light in gear with pedal fully depressed wearing down the spring.

Not saying some other cause couldnt be the reason, but this is, the classic reason for this symptom on a manual transmission.

Fred..

[NISTECH]

what kinda RPM are we talking about when you disengauge it and how long does the "feeling" last. It could just be due to the high RPM keeping the pressure plate springs from pushing back immediatly. This would be an extreamly short period of time. Measured in msecs. This would be considered normal as I have felt it too when pushing one hard. But again the time frame was less then a second of occurance.

[350zQ45a]

Hmm. I did buy it used, with 24,000 miles on it.

It's an 04.

Nis I think that could be it. Seems to be onyl real short and then its normal, but it's disconcerting.

[evildky]

assuming you have a hydraulic clutch it can be a sign of a bad master or slave or a leak in the system somewhere, you might try topping the fluid and bleading the system check for leaks while doing so and see if it improves

[purzzz]

I seem to recall some people on other forums mentioning this, and I think it's happening to me

Occasionaly when I'm driving well very aggressively, it feels like the clutch sticks in and doesn't disengage or come out the entire way. It's really disconcerting and corrects itself almost immediately.

Is this something I should be aware of? My car is abotu to go out of bumper to bumper so maybe I'm just being paranoid

Would like to revive this thread, as a few days ago my roadster's clutch stuck at 4600 rpm between 1st and 2nd, came up 1/2 way but would not release until i pumped it like old time brakes, it continued to burn for 30 seconds until it came loose. Nice Scary smell to go with it. This is not hard driving i'm talking about. I only have 1600 miles on this car & My dealer is interested in ANYone else who has experienced a sticking/stuck clutch, including what dealer you took it to for inspection and/or repair. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE as you are without power and helpless while clutch is stuck. Many different threads here and personal blogs on www list same experiences, just not as the focus. Please send personal message with your dealer name, much appreciated. Thanks

[hunchback]

I bought a 2006 coupe and now it has 1700 miles on it but I had the same problem of the clutch sticking in and ya the smell stinks too. My dealer thinks Im crazy when I try explaining it to him. Im a little unsure what to do?

[purzzz]

you are definitely NOT crazy. I personally know how wrong it feels, then how mad it made me. I've had stick since i was 12, burned up a few clutches, but NEVER had one stick on me. First off, you are under warranty, so very clearly tell them this is a serious safety issue, if you're pulling out into traffic to match speed, and then go lame duck, you could easily be run over by a truck, etc. Make sure they check the linkage and that you didn't crack or glaze the plate by the burn, tell them as long as they are satisfied it's safe to drive, then you'll get back in it. I know of at least 5 other 05/06 350z's that this has happened to recently [3 in 2 weeks] . I printed threads and blogs for my dealer, and then they waited on hold with Nissan America to get a tracking number for the issue [NA says they've never heard of the problem before...?? uhh, yeah] I sent you an email with more details of how to persue a resolution if you're interested.

[hunchback]

glad to hear from you on this. My car is a 2006 base model coupe. It has some basic upgrades like the kick plates and stuff. The funny part is that the technical guy told me on the phone that I hope you are not dumping the clutch coz its not a sports car. I was like ---> :S...Dude you sold me a 300 horse power two door slick looking missile and you are telling me its not a sports car. I dont drive it hard but cmon, every now and then you wana spur it up a bit and if it cant even deliver then without posing a danger and awsome stink then in a way you're telling me that Ive wasted my money. Anyway Im glad that this issue is atleast coming up. The clutch never smells on routine driving but twice when I gave it some power on a light and launched it...the clutch defied me and preferred sticking on the floor board. I just hope somehow this problem can be nailed.

[rchboy]

yeah im having the same problem with my clutch. i have a 05 enthusiast with some work done to it, by the dealer infact. i have to bring it in havent had a chance yet. the thing has 4000 miles on it and well within warranty im gonna make an appointment this week ill let you guys know what the dealer says.

[hunchback]

Did anyone find anything?

[FlintGaugeZ]

Reading through this thread I can't help but think this sounds just like what happened to me. I bought my 2006 Z brand new in august. I went to let the clutch out while having some fun (after having followed the 1200 mile break in, this was at around 2000 miles), at about 4700k and it stuck to the ground and and left me sitting at a green light for about 20 seconds. It smelled awful for next 30 minutes and was quite embarrassing. I have owned sticks all my life (the Z is my 4th one) and I've never had this problem before. I think we might need to take this up with Nissan. Maybe there's a defective clutch spring or something else here that needs to be taken care of by the dealer...

[purzzz]

I had my personal situation logged with nissan america through dealer, but so many that have said it's happened to them have not taken their car to the dealer nor demanded accountability from NA, so they say it's a non-repetative issue at the moment. That's not actually truth, as i can find blogs and reportings on this site and the http://www.my350z.com site going back to 2003. That's why i resurrected this thread because i'm looking for drivers who've actual reported it to their dealer for service, so my dealer can contact them to compare notes. There is a current thread at the my350z.com/forum/repair/clutchsticking?yearofcar? that has 6 reported in the past month. One of the longtime members is trying to determine if it has to do with the different type of transmission[cd008/009] and orifice clutch assemblies( one piece unit vs 2?), crimping/blockage in the hydrolic line etc. I'm not a motorhead, that's why i came here looking for support in numbers, but if you'll log in over at that site, I think we'll get NA's attention. There are 4 of us right here in just a few weeks span. It is a safety issue, because like you know, you sat at the light with no power, but what if you had been pulling out into traffic instead trying to match speed...?

Modified by purzzz at 8:55 PM 11/5/2006
Modified by purzzz at 9:04 PM 11/5/2006

[hunchback]

I agree with you but I did take my car to the dealer twice now. I even have him state the problem in written form that my car wont go into gear and a burning smell followed afterwards. I probably need to have him rephrase that too a sticking clutch. My dealer also told me at the time that he tried comparing notes with other dealers and didnt find anyone else complaining. I was told that my clutch operations are normal.

[joe603]

Maybe they changed the Z...I know that in the G35, there is a safety mechanism that will not allow you to dump the clutch over 5kish RPMs. I was under the impression that the 350Z did not have this feature, as its more of a sports car than the G.

Can anybody confirm this feature in their Zs?

(just try dumping the clutch with the RPMs over 4k)

[hunchback]

I would have thought it was that but that shouldnt come with a burning smell. Last night I had the same problem four times, the clutch just wouldnt come back after shifting from first to second at a higher rpm and dont forget the burning smell.

[joe603]

I get the burning smell on my 05 G35 if I dump the clutch over 5k...

Any other Z owners have similar symptoms?

[hunchback]

okay if for a moment we assume it is a safety mechanism....why wouldnt the clutch come back...and you lose power over the car, what if you are in the middle of an intersection and the car halts....you are reving but the clutch wont come back so you cant drive....youre parked and making a lot of noise....thats not safety..thats suicide, one more thing it never used to happen before with my car...it just started a couple of weeks ago and my car is 2000 miles old

[joe603]

Do you have a G35, or 350z?

[hunchback]

I have a 350Z

[purzzz]

I agree with you but I did take my car to the dealer twice now. I even have him state the problem in written form that my car wont go into gear and a burning smell followed afterwards. I probably need to have him rephrase that too a sticking clutch. My dealer also told me at the time that he tried comparing notes with other dealers and didnt find anyone else complaining. I was told that my clutch operations are normal.

That's good they logged it for you, but did they log it with Nissan America? that's a separate process [can take 1-2 hrs on hold i'm told], and that's the only way the dealers can share database info on re-ocurring problems Can you tell me the dealer name and city/state? Mine would like to compare notes, & would be much appreciated. As to safety shut down on the clutch, um no. These Zs are routinely raced at tracks. That would mean built to rev, or so we're led to expect, but the most common denominator i'm finding is, though drivers will drive them aggressively at times, when the clutch sticks, its during normal driving to the store, or work, etc. usually between 3-5k rpms. The redline is factory set higher (7? can't remember without running out to look). For now, a copy of the logged issue is in my glove box and with my will, in case it happens at the wrong time, then family can sue the hell outta NA.

[hunchback]

My dealer is O'Neill Nissan in Overland Park Kansas. The exact statement on the document when I took it in for inspection is as follows

A customer states car wont go into gear and strong burning smell came through the vents...advise.

What dealerships are you dealing with...kindly let me know so that the next time I take it in, I can ask mine to cross check with yours. I also called 1-800-647-7261 and opened a file with Nissan America regarding the sticking clutch problem and will be hearing from a region specialist soon. I would suggest that those of you who have the problem should do the same so that NA realizes that there is a glitch that needs to be addressed and its not just a one person deal.
Modified by hunchback at 2:00 PM 11/9/2006

[purzzz]

cool, thanks. My dealer is Continental Nissan - Anchorage, AK Matt Gelder Service Consultant Invoice 807484 10/11/06. NA Techline Case 791137 Mike Ext.57691

It probably wont fail on me again until spring, cause with the snow and ice on the roads now, i have to drive it like a subaru...sigh.

[joe603]

I have a 350Z

Sounds fishy then. I haven't heard of the 350z having the issue with the clutch. You should pressure the dealership, or try taking it to another.

[dalanamorse]

No Help From Infiniti/Nissan with Sticking Clutch Pedal - WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

My clutch pedal had been sticking at random times for over a year. The problem was so sporadic and the dealership was 30 minutes away so the sticking pedal problem would stop sticking by the time I could take it in and show them the problem.

About a month or two ago, I took it to Grubbs Infiniti in Euless, Texas, for the airbag recall and mentioned the sticking clutch pedal to them. Of course, they were unable to replicate the problem so they were not able to fix it and sent me on my way.

On December 9, 2010, I took it in again because I could smell that awful burning clutch smell. The dealer wanted me to pay $1,450.00 for the repairs. I have an extended warranty on the vehicle but normal wear and tear is not covered. That is understandable but it still was not good enough for me. I knew that the sticking clutch pedal was causing wear and tear that was BEYOND normal on my car – especially since it had been doing it for over a year.

By accident, I stumbled across this forum and MULTIPLE other forums of people have the EXACT same issue with their G35’s. I also found MULTIPLE forums of Nissan 350 owners with the EXACT same problem – after all it is essentially the same car. I was shocked and appalled that this has not become a recall issue when it is a matter of consumer safety. I think that this issue is bigger than any of us or Infiniti/Nissan realizes. This is a widespread problem they are avoiding.

Even more shocking and appalling is the lack of concern for my safety that I received from both Grubbs Infiniti and Infiniti Consumer Affairs. Their complete unwillingness to make the needed repairs and cover all or part of the costs and STOP putting my life in jeopardy every time I drive the vehicle is asinine.

Infiniti/Nissan’s defective sticking clutch pedal IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN and does cause premature wear on other clutch parts. Therefore, Infiniti/Nissan should:

• Issue a recall on this sticking pedal IMMEDIATELY. People’s lives are at risk! This is no different than the sticking accelerator problem that Toyota had but they want to sweep it under the rug. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY WILL WAKE UP?
• If they aren’t going to recall the sticking clutch pedal, then they need to cover the repairs to fix the sticking clutch pedal and any repairs from the unnecessary wear that the sticking clutch pedal caused.

If you have tried to work with the dealership or Infiniti/Nissan to get them to do just those very things and your attempts failed, here is what I suggest you do, as suggested to me by a consumer attorney:

• File a complaint, in writing, over the phone or online with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) by going to https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
• File a complaint with the Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division in your area. You can find a list by state by going here: http://www.naag.org/current-attorneys-general.php
• Write your congressman or congress-woman. You can find yours by going to https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml. The last thing Infiniti/Nissan wants is a criminal investigation (much like Toyota’s) into the company's safety problems and lack of concern for their customers.
• Contact a public defender at your local news station. Almost all of us have them now. You may not get a call back or response from this but I am willing to bet that if we all do this, one of them will step up the plate and broadcast this problem. And if you know how the news works, when one reports it, they ALL report it. News broadcasts will bring more people forward with the same problem and will provide us Infiniti/Nissan owners with some strength in numbers.

Having lived this, I hope that my tips and pointers help.

In addition, if any of you are in Texas and would like to become part of a group lawsuit against Infiniti/Nissan to offset some of the attorney fees, please email me at dalanamorse@gmail.com

United we stand… Let’s come together and MAKE Infiniti/Nissan do the right thing since they obviously aren’t going to do it on their own.