1995 Escort Clutch/Clutch pedal problem

Have a 1995 Escort with 1.9L engine. 155,000 on tranny. 2,000 on
rebuilt engine (replaced clutch and throwout bearing at the same time I rebuilt the engine used new clutch not rebuilt clutch).

Problem. Driving the car today. Pushed clutch pedal in while driving
about 45mph (at the same time pushing the brake pedal to slow the
car), the pedal felt like something "snapped". The clutch pedal can be pressed in and it will return, but there is no resistance felt at all. Pressing the Clutch pedal is actually not pushing the clutch in (disengaging the clutch). The only way I got the car out of gear was as
the transmission "meshed" forcefully yanking the thing out of gear.

After safely stopping the vehicle. You can "force" the car in and out
of gear, but the clutch always remains engaged (even when you press the clutch pedal). When you watch the slave cylinder will move a very small amount (about 1/4" inch) when you press the clutch, but not enough to move the shift fork or throw-out bearing to actually move the pressure plates on the clutch. Visual inspection of the clutch pedal doesn't show any problems (rod that runs through firewall to clutch master cylinder is still there). There is no visible fluid leakage and the brakes still work (Brake master cylinder is an integral part of the clutch system on this vehicle).

Any ideas?
Glenn

Hey I just replaced the clutch in my 95 escort. It cost me 175 dollars and 3 days work. Try bleeding the hydrolic system. There is a silver valve sticking out of th slave cylinder, it points twards the radiator. Unscrew it; it may leak but that's a good sign. Have some one press on the clutch after attaching a small clear tube to the valve and put the other end into a small jar of break fluid so that you can watch to see if there are any bubbles coming out. Press on the clutch untill all of the bubbles are gone. If nothing still happens you may have a clog in your line. For that I suggest geting a manual because you will have to take thing apart. Good Luck-jack

Clutch problem w/Escort - note clutch/brake master cylinder same unit- if one goes so does other. replace brake/clutch master cylinder - bench bleed first, should solve all problems

I know this is a very old thread, but I have to comment. I have a clutch problem which is why I searched. The last poster (3 years ago) says that the clutch and brake cylinder are the same thing. This is WRONG. The clutch and brake RESEVOIR is the same, but there is a seperate clutch master cylinder, drawing fluid from that same resevoir. Replacing the brake master will do absolutly nothing for your clutch, at all.

That is all :)