Clutch trouble on a 1999 Toyota Corolla

[Raswan]

Toyota Corolla, 1999, 160k.

Hey everyone. Hoping someone can help me with this. Starting about a week ago, I'd get into my car and push the clutch down to the floor, turn the key, and get nothing. For the first few times (doesn't happen every time--maybe once a day out of 3-4 starts) I just assumed I hadn't been pressing the clutch all the way to the floor, but yesterday evening I consciously pushed it all the way down, turned the key and got nothing. I released it and tried again, turned the key, and it started right up. Also started right up this morning on the first try.

Does this sound like the clutch plate or something is going out? The pedal itself feels the same as always--no loosening up or anything.

Biggest problem is that I'm stuck down here in Oklahoma in school, far away from my family's trusted mechanic (MN), so I'd like to get as much info as I can before taking it somewhere. If anyone can give me a general idea as to if this sounds like just a common clutch thing that needs to be repaired and about how much I should expect to pay, or if it sounds like a more expensive problem, it'd be a great help. Thanks!

 

[jlee]

You're saying the starter won't turn over at all? Sounds to me like your clutch safety switch is going out and the car won't start because it thinks the pedal isn't depressed. Is the clutch slipping under acceleration (rpms go up and speed doesn't)?

 

[bruceb]

Sounds like the clutch interlock switch as suggested by jlee above. It should be on the pedal assembly, easy to replace.

 

[exdeath]

^ look under the dash for a plastic switch connected to the clutch pedal arm and see if either the switch or linkage to the pedal is loose. If it looks good while the clutch is being pressed, the switch itself is bad. If you get to a point that you are stranded, you can bypass the switch with a wire or something wedged into the connector.

 

[Raswan]

You're saying the starter won't turn over at all? Sounds to me like your clutch safety switch is going out and the car won't start because it thinks the pedal isn't depressed. Is the clutch slipping under acceleration (rpms go up and speed doesn't)?

Correct. On every occasion except this morning, it's like turning the key without even touching the clutch. And nope, no rpm increase while driving the same speed--though I live in town and haven't done any highway driving since this began.

This morning was the one time when it began to turn over but immediately (maybe after no more than 1/2 a sec) cut out--as if I pushed the clutch in but then let it out as soon as I began to turn the key. In other words, it did the same thing that occasionally happens when you push the clutch in with wet shoes but your foot slips off while turning the key.

I spoke with a small town mechanic here in Stillwater recommended to me by a graduate professor (I'd used him once before but he charged me 120 bucks for just the labor to replace two exterior door handles, so I've been avoiding him) and he also mentioned the clutch safety switch. He talked about it like it was not a big repair, but rather a quick and easy fix.

 

[Raswan]

Sounds like the clutch interlock switch as suggested by jlee above. It should be on the pedal assembly, easy to replace.

So the clutch interlock switch and the clutch safety switch are the same thing. I'll keep that in mind.

You say it's easy to replace. Just how easy for the (very) amateur mechanic? I mean, I can change oil, but about the most complicated thing I've ever done is replace the blower motor resistor in my gf's 2001 Malibu. If it is easy enough for me to at least try, is the part cheap enough to pick up and do it myself before considering bringing it in? I don't mind throwing a 10 or 15 dollar part at the problem if it's got a 60% chance of fixing it.

 

[bruceb]

Yes, they are the same. As to how to change, it is either held on with a clip or a nut. Wires will be a simple easy to remove connector.

 

[CraigRT]

Does this car have cruise control?
Another easy way to diagnose switch on a 5speed car is to try to engage cruise control. If it does not engage, or does intermittently, it is 100% the clutch pedal switch.
I actually had that problem on my Altima. The pedal was dropping ever so slightly to not touch the switch intermittently, and cruise would not engage if it was low enough.

 

[Raswan]

Does this car have cruise control?
Another easy way to diagnose switch on a 5speed car is to try to engage cruise control. If it does not engage, or does intermittently, it is 100% the clutch pedal switch.
I actually had that problem on my Altima. The pedal was dropping ever so slightly to not touch the switch intermittently, and cruise would not engage if it was low enough.

It does have cruise. I'll take it out this evening and put it on to see what happens. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[allanon1965]

you probably have a failing starter and/or solenoid...much more common than a clutch interlock/saftey switch..

 

[Zenmervolt]

you probably have a failing starter and/or solenoid...much more common than a clutch interlock/saftey switch..

More common yes. However it doesn't fit the symptoms described by the OP.

The OP should verify the function of the clutch interlock first. It's a simple on/off switch that can be verified with even the cheapest multimeter. It's far easier to get at and the part itself is less expensive.

Only if he verifies that the clutch interlock is working properly should he begin to investigate the starter.

ZV

 

[zoiks]

you probably have a failing starter and/or solenoid...much more common than a clutch interlock/saftey switch..

I had the same symptoms on my 240sx and it did turn out to be the starter.
I think I drove for about 2 years on my old starter in that state where I'd wait for a bit before pressing the clutch again to start it. It would fire up sometimes and sometimes it wouldn't. At times I used the tire iron to hit the starter and that worked for a while.
Got tired of it finally and changed the starter.