1990 civic DX HB - clutch problem (manual transm.)

[-GiNo-]

Hello everybody,

it seams like I'm having problems with my clutch. I hope some of you will give me advice as I believe my mechanic is clueless. I have a 1990 Honda civic DX HB, manual transmission. It all started with gears very hard to shift, especially 1st, 2nd and R. I took it to the mechanic who told me he adjusted the clutch. I didn't feel any difference so I asked him to adjust it again. Right after he worked on the knob, shifting was again smooth so I happily left the garage and drove away. After a couple of miles, again the same trouble. Later on, I tried to adjust it myself (rotating the knob) a couple of times more and again the problem was initially solved but came back after a minute. Now there seams to be no room for adjustments anymore. Plus the situation got way worse. The car wont even start because the clutch does not engage at all. The clutch pedal feels really strange. Moreover, it is bended on the left by at least 30 degrees. I mean, It does not come out perpendicular to the floor, but at a 30 degrees angle to the left. Please, help me! I am not an expert, but I do believe that the problem is somewhere between the clutch pedal and the knob. The clutch itself should be fine as it has only 24K miles on it. I look forward to hear your opinion.

GiNo

[viper-blue]

try detaching the clutch cable at the trans. After you've done that wiggle the linkage on the trans and push down on it to make sure the clutch is fully disengaged, then get a buddy to help you try to push the car a couple of feet with the transmission in gear. If the car moves freely then you know your problem is in the tranny. If the gears catch while your pushing the car then you know you have a faulty cable. Depending on the quality of your clutch, flywheel and your style of driving it isn't unreasonable to have the clutch go at that age

[Ones&zeros]

the car not starting because of the clutch pedal is not the cable, its the pedal, it has some sort of button or saftey switch under the dash.

[FrodoGT]

If the car wont start, as in it wont even turn over but rather just clicks when you turn the key then it is the clutch safety switch located at the very top of the pedal. Way up under there. Try reaching up under it and pushing the button. There is a plastic plug that normally fills the hole in the clutch but if that falls out then the safety switch goes right through the hole and never gets pushed. Its a common problem.