2001 CRV clutch issue engaging gears

6890 Views 9 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Peanut, Jan 2, 2019

Jackolas

Discussion Starter · Dec 25, 2018

Hi. I have a 2001 1st gen CRV with manual transmission and 4x4.

Yesterday when I went to drive the car I could not get it to engage any gear. Whilst the car is off I can depress the clutch pedal and move the shifter into the correct position however this is not possible if I start the car in neutral and try to shift it once the vehicle is running. If I move the shifter into the 1st gear position whilst the car is off then try to start the car with the clutch pedal down the car will not start, it jerks as if I haven't actually engaged the clutch.

Has anyone encountered this issue before? My first assumption is the slave cylinder may have gone however I'm not very experienced working with transmission/clutch faults so I'm really just guessing here and don't really know what to look for to confirm if this is the case or not.
Fluid in the reservoir was low so I topped this up however this doesn't seem to have made any improvements.

If anyone has any recommendations for me to check I would really appreciate your help! I'm a handy guy and confident working on my cars once I know whats wrong just struggle to diagnose faults would really like to get this sorted myself as taking it to a mechanic will cost a lot of money at an already expensive time of year for me.

Thanks guys & Merry Christmas from Australia!

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racoon

· #2 · Dec 25, 2018

I'd check both the master and slave cylinders to make sure they aren't leaking, and check the fluid reservoir on top of the master cylinder to make sure it has fluid in it.
The clutch system is hydraulic and uses brake fluid.

How long have you had the CR-V?
Do you have the maintenance records?

Since it uses brake fluid and brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over time, the fluid needs to be replaced every three years or so, just like the fluid for your brakes.

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Carbuff2

· #3 · Dec 25, 2018

I'd check both the master and slave cylinders to make sure they aren't leaking, and check the fluid reservoir on top of the master cylinder to make sure it has fluid in it.

I think that racoon is correct. It seems as if the clutch hydraulics have worn out. It could be EITHER the Master cylinder or the slave.

Sometimes you can find a trace of leaking fluid, sometimes it is not as obvious. (Slave cylinders can leak into the bell housing where you can't see. Master cylinders can leak to the interior of the car, and run down the bulkhead carpet where it is not obvious.) Don't guess... CHECK IT OUT.

If the clutch fluid was totally empty, you may have air in the system. If you are lucky, you might get enough 'pedal' to make the car mobile if you prop the pedal down overnight, then pump it in the morning. :doublethumb:

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rocky

· #4 · Dec 25, 2018

Failed clutch hydraulics sounds like your problem.

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Tigris99

· #5 · Dec 26, 2018

yeap same here, clutch master or slave went out/is leaking.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

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Jackolas

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 26, 2018

Thanks guys really appreciate your help. now I have somewhere to start from.

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kloker

· #7 · Dec 26, 2018

If I move the shifter into the 1st gear position whilst the car is off then try to start the car with the clutch pedal down the car will not start, it jerks as if I haven't actually engaged the clutch.

I think you mean disengaged. When you push the clutch pedal in/down towards the floor, you are disengaging it. When you let it back up you are engaging it. As in Star Trek, where first they say to put the warp drive in gear, then engage, which is when they pop the clutch. I've always thought it must be one heck of a clutch, considering the launch they get off the line. Probably magnetic field-generated. Not the same as a CR-V, but same principle.

When you push the clutch pedal in, the hydraulics cause the slave cylinder to move the clutch arm to slide the throw-out bearing on the shaft and push the clutch disc away from the flywheel, disengaging the transmission so that the synchronizers enable smooth gear movement. Once in gear, then you release the pedal, which allows the clutch disc to engage the flywheel again, and voila. Driveline is engaged, and warp speed is achieved. Unless fluid level is leaky low or cylinder seals are shot.

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otto888man

· #8 · Dec 31, 2018

kloker said:
I think you mean disengaged. When you push the clutch pedal in/down towards the floor, you are disengaging it. When you let it back up you are engaging it. As in Star Trek, where first they say to put the warp drive in gear, then engage, which is when they pop the clutch. I've always thought it must be one heck of a clutch, considering the launch they get off the line. Probably magnetic field-generated. Not the same as a CR-V, but same principle.

When you push the clutch pedal in, the hydraulics cause the slave cylinder to move the clutch arm to slide the throw-out bearing on the shaft and push the clutch disc away from the flywheel, disengaging the transmission so that the synchronizers enable smooth gear movement. Once in gear, then you release the pedal, which allows the clutch disc to engage the flywheel again, and voila. Driveline is engaged, and warp speed is achieved. Unless fluid level is leaky low or cylinder seals are shot.

Very well explained! Bravo!

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otto888man

· #9 · Dec 31, 2018

Try also this. While the engine is stop or even running. Pump the clutch pedal 5x then try to engage the gears. See if it engages smoothly.

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Peanut

· #10 · Jan 2, 2019

When I got my Crv the one crimp was slowly leaking on the flexi hose on my clutch line, fluid had slowly leaked until the master went empty, clutch wasn't activating when pressed to the floor. Filled the master, bled the system at the slave(very easy to do) and good as new. Replaced the leaking hose a while later and problem solved.

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