On my morning commute my tranny became "notchy" when shifting, alot of pressure was required to push the selector into gear. Then at my turnoff, as I was attempting to downshift and I could not select any gear (actually ground the sh*t out of third when trying desperately to find a gear). So! The tranny is locked. When I turned the engine off, I could select gears as usual. When I started the car in gear, the clutch was still semi-engaged, even with the clutch on the floor, so as I was cranking the car was launching off by itself. This was enough to limp it to a gas station where she sits at this moment. I filled the clutch master cylinder, still no luck. The clutch will not dissengage completely. The clutch was installed in November so it should still be good. The pedal still feels fine, as far as I can tell, it is still springy as usual. Can anyone help? My specialist can't schedule me in until tuesday, but I need the car before then if I can! Anyone? Thanks!

 

Sounds like hydraulics. If you filled the clutch master cylinder, it must have been low. Leaked somewhere. Fill and bleed, and check for leaks. The clutch master cyl, slave cyl., and hose is not expensive. If you see a leak, and have the money, replace all.
FYI-A pilot bearing that's bad can also cause the same problem, by not allowing the main shaft to stop turning.

 

Great, thanks! I went to check on it again tonight. I pumped the pedal a few times and it seems like you dont get pressure until the pedal is further down than usual. Rechecked everything I could see, no signs of fluid leaks, nothing is dripping under the car and the master cyl. looks intact.

 

same thing happened to me with my ACT...EXACT SAME THING.....Blew 3 throwout bearings. I traded the car in for labor on my TII so i never found out what was wrong....got 600 bux for a 90 GTU with 180000 miles. Good luck with that.

 

Thought I'd add:
Check freeplay, then hold clutch pedal to floor for about 1 minute. Let up and if freeplay is different, eg more, clutch cylinder shot.

 

probably is the pilot bearing... are the gears notchy, or slightly hard to shift into when the car is off? mine did the same thing that you described, i went ahead and replaced the throwout and pilot bearings and it was good as new

 

Ownership of many Mazda vehicles since 1975 has permitted me to experience your identical distress many times. Always......the clutch Slave Cylinder Cupped Seal was worn & leaking. A new clutch Slave Cylinder Cupped Seal restored my '84 RX-7 to useful function yesterday.