Mysterious Clutch Problem

Borzoi

I had to do a small run out to Newbridge yesterday evening, and on my way back to Dublin, I was stopeed at the lights. Lights went green, went to put the car in gear, no dice. Tried all the gears, wouldn't go into any, trying to engage, was like trying to do it without the clutch pedal being pressed.

Eventually I turned off the engine, slipped the gear shift to 2nd, started the engine, let the clutch pedal out and off I went. (Read, limped home) Stopped the car a few time on the way, still no clutch joy.

So this morning figuring that work was on the way to my mechanic, might as well use the car. Started up, pressed clutch pedal, slipped into 1st (thoought this is odd), slipped into secoond no worries, third and forth too.

So the question is, what was the problem?

BTW it's a '95 SAAB 900SE manual (obviously), no previous clutch probs except that third can be a bit sticky (say one time in 15 changes)

ToxicPaddy

Ive heard of some people having issues with Saab's and their clutches in the past but to be honest Ive never heard any of the details.

You might be able to find some info on one of these sites..

Saabnet
SaabClub

Tox

Borzoi

Thanks Toxicpaddy.

I took a lok at the SAABnet forums, very good, it sound like it might just be a linkage loose, apparently a common enough problem that was rectified with the '97 and onwards.

Anyway rang the mechanic and he's going to take a look this afternoon, but I feel better going in with a clue of what's up.

ToxicPaddy

Might be an idea to take it to a Saab Dealer to give it the once over just in case its the prelude to a bigger problem..

Tox

Borzoi

Mechanic took it for a spin, he's a SAAB specialist, figures, there's no problem, that the likely cause was the automatic retensioner on the clutch cable slipped. Should be okay though, any future probs and he's going to change the cable.