Hey guys,

I have an '88 Integra with what appears to be a clutch cable mechanism. I never owned a car this old so I never even worked on a car without a hydraulic clutch. The problem it's experiencing is the car is that occasionally will not go into gear. Here are the symptoms:

- Car goes into gear fine when off
- Clutch pedal feel is always good...(does not drop to floor)
- Clutch lever (on tranny) moves when pushing the clutch
- When unable to put into gear, can start car in gear with clutch pressed and drive (but cannot shift...so stuck in whatever gear you started the car in)

I've never worked on a car with mechanical clutch so I'm hoping for some tips here. Is it just a matter of adjusting the cable? I've searched many posts but most seem to have either a broken cable/lever or something like that. my cable seems to be fine and the clutch pedal feels is good.

 

There is an adjustment **** that sits atop the bracket that holds the cable to the tranny. Sounds to me like you are in need of a new clutch. Since it wont shift when running does it slip any in gear and what does the pedal itself feel like? Does it feel like the clutch is engaging and disengaging? You can try adjusting it but Im guessing its time for a new disc and pp.

 

Thanks for the reply. I thought it might be the clutch, but it does not slip at all. The only thing that ever happens is there are times that it will not go into gear. But if you start the car with the shifter in a gear, and then let out the clutch, you can drive it in that gear. Just cannot change gears....

But other times, you can start the car and shift fine. Very confused...

 

Its time for a clutch job. The fingers & springs on the pressure plate are worn and the clutch will not release any more, no matter how much you adjust the cable. If the clutch disc were worn, that is when slip would be an issue. Buy a clutch kit and have the flywheel resurfaced while you're in there too.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. Any idea why some days it goes into gear just fine but other days i absolutely cannot shift into any gear?

i'd hate to do all this work and still end up having shifting issues (as in, I'm wondering if it might be more tranny related...maybe bad synchro's or something)