clutch/manual transmission/engine problems

[countcristo]

Hi everyone,

I'm a first time user of this forum, so I apologize if I did not go about forum procedure (I did read that sticky for new users and all those links dated 7 years ago are dead). I have a 1997 nissan sentra XE.

Here's my problem. Yesterday, my clutch cable had snapped (while driving, how embarrassing). I couldn't shift gears into first or second or reverse. A person had pulled over asking me if I needed help and he had been able to shift it into first with the engine turned off. He drove it back to my house (about 3 miles) and tried adjusting the clutch cable, but I needed a new one.

Fast forward to today, I replaced the clutch cable with the help of a friend. Since it was both our first time, I'm not sure if we broke the cable because we tightened the adjusting nut (while pushing the withdrawal lever toward the back of the car) to its fullest then untightened it 2-3 turns. We prestretched the cable (pumped it 50 times) and readjusted the nut once more. When this happened, the tension in the clutch disappeared and there was almost no resistance.

However, we don't really think it's the clutch cable, since we just replaced it and don't think it can snap that easily. What's more strange is that I can't shift the gear into first, but when I try (doesn't lock into place) the car moves forward and there's this whirring sound that we believe is the the throwout bearing. With the car turned off, you can switch it into first gear, but can't start it. On top of all of this, one of the times when we tried to start it in neutral, it would not start unless you gave it gas.

Is it the clutch, the transmission, or the engine?

Thank you if you read this lengthy problem and any advice on what might be the problem.

Thanks,Jim

[pachuco]

Your cable is adjusted way to tight.

You do not push the release lever on the trans when adjusting the cable.

It won't shift into gears because the pressure plate is smashed into the disc and it is locking up the input shaft on the trans since it splines into the disc.

Start over. remove the cable and make sure it is not damaged. install the cable onto the clutch pedal. then adjust the cable end all the way loose.

then it should just slip over the release lever. adjust the wheel until its about halfway on the threads. this will be a good time to start the car and check the clutch engagement. if is too close to the floor then tighten the cable a little until its right.

[countcristo]

thank you for the quick response, I'll give it a go, see if it works, and update this thread.
Modified by countcristo at 3:05 PM 6/6/2009

[countcristo]

Here's the update...I checked the cable and the cable is still fine (as far as the cable is still in one piece). I popped the cable back onto the clutch pedal, slipped the adjusting wheel back on to the release leaver and started tightening it like pachuco said.

It had actually gotten back to that same tension before it lost it all. However, the same problem still occurs where I can shift into any of the gears with the car turned off without the clutch pushed in. This can't be good.

2nd, if the car is started in first gear it still lurks forward and this is true for reverse. I think either the throwout bearing or the pressure plate is out of position because of this.

In any case, I am going into a shop to get it checked out (wish I could fix/diagnose it myself).

Thank you for all who viewed this.

[n_v'dteggy89]

so what did the mechanic say? this just happened to me so i am very intrested in the results

[ABNRML4U]

Welcome To NicoClub Man, Everyone here is cool and nice so I hope that everything goes o.k with your clutch.

[jdansmith]

Might be the fork arm broke or lock pins broke. Updates?

[countcristo]

Sorry for not updating in on this situation, to anyone that searched for this problem. However, this is what happened. After 12 years, and god knows how many drivers who learned to drive stick on this car, (I've had it for 3 and learned how to drive stick on this), this car needed a new clutch. The clutch plate was completely burned down without any more grooves/notches left in it, so it was always engaged.

This led to a 450 dollar repair bill from the mechanic because it's a 97 nissan sentra. I would have tried and replace it myself, but from my understanding is that in order to replace the clutch in a nissan, you need to remove the engine.

Anyways, thank you all for the replies. If the moderator could close/lock this topic, I'd be grateful. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN =)