jaxx1117

I am new to this site but I have a question! I have a 1983 rx7 and when I start it up, and shift into any of the gears, the car will not move when I let the clutch out. I am in the middle of a rebuild but need to fixthis problem first. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jaxx1117

I have no clue where to start and what to try....Please help me!

bliffle

Might be a bad clutch - so bad that it can't engage. Very unusual.

Do you know if the clutch has been worked on or replaced in the last few years?

If the engine is running and you depress the clutch pedal, can you engage the gears by operating the shift lever? Do you get gear grinding?

blackdeath647

iTrader: (2)

it sounds like a really worn out clutch, but i don't think you'd be able to set it in gear if it was a clutch cuz it wouldn't engage....

bliffle

Anything not working in the driveline could cause such a big problem.

-maybe clutchplate hangs up on splines and won't touch flywheel
-maybe transmission is broken (maybe wornout layshaft bearings so gears don't engage)
-maybe a ujoint is completely broken
-etc.

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

Just to clarify things a bit:

1. you are saying that you start, put it into gear, and release the clutch, it continues to run, but just doesn't go anywhere?

2. when you pull out the clutch, do the RPMs drop at all? might be slipping really bad

3. are you sure that the driveshaft is connected?

4. have to tried all gears (1-5, R)? Same results in every case?

5. are your rear tires touching the ground?

Since you can get it into gear, but will not go anywhere, it seems like a broken tranny. Either something broken on the input shaft or something not allowing it to engage the gears (stuck in neutral). When you shift, does it stay in the gear or does the shifter pop back to neutral?

Try to get us more details. It does sound like you'll have to pull the tranny either way (bad clutch or bad tranny). This assumes that the driveshaft is connected and not broken. Could also be a broken rearend perhaps. Try to start the car, put in gear, and pull out the clutch. Have someone look under the car with a flashlight to see if the driveshaft is turning. That way you can tell if it is clutch/tranny or driveshaft/rearend. If clutch/tranny, pull the tranny, replace clutch and probably replace tranny too. You can get a used tranny for about $100..sometimes less.

Rogue_Wulff

I once ran into this same type problem. Dropped the trans to replace the clutch, and the clutch disc was nothing but the center hub.

jaxx1117

Yes the car stays started when I put it in gear and let off the clutch. It just doesn't move. I know it used to but it has been sitting, and not driven for a couple of years literally. It starts right up though.......

Rogue_Wulff

Sounds like the clutch disc has disintegrated. Sitting dormant for a while can cause the clutch lining to decay, and it literally just falls apart without any provocation after you start trying to use it again.

howey

I had the same symptoms on my 1982. It sure sounds like clutch problems. The clutch was just replaced this week. I could start the car and move shift lever to the different gears and the car would not move. Some have advised you don't need to take off flywheel during clutch repair. The shop I had it done at insisted on removing and resurfacing flywheel to get the clutch warranty. They said taking the flywheel off was a pain. I hope this helps. Good luck

bliffle

How long is that clutch warranty for?