I just bought an 89 Si, and it has an odd clutch problem - it likes to stick with the clutch engaged. I disconnected the clutch cable and the clutch stroke seems fine, and the cable seems unkinked... then I came to the clutch pedal itself. It wants to be all the way out OR all the way in. It seems like it's missing it's return spring - though it has a different spring still on.

Unfortunately, the previous owner bought it a year ago from someone else - that person had supposedly replaced the clutch.

This is the part I'm missing from my pedal:
46540-SH5-010

What I need to know is how this spring attached to clutch pedal. I see a mounting hole on the bracket, but no corresponding hole on the pedal itself.

I went to a U Pick Your Part and found an Si (unknown year but had door mounted belts), and I took a picture of said spring in action before I pulled it. Here it is hanging from the same position in my car now - BUT WITH NOTHING TO CLIP IT ONTO!

So what is supposed to keep the clutch pedal from hitting the floor here?

This is from the junkyard:


This is from my car - note the same spring hanging from the clip with nothing on the pedal to attach to:


Yes, there is a spring there that does push back initially, but once it is past center it actually pushes the pedal into the firewall with a solid THUNK!

I have the '90 FSM, and it shows a different clutch pedal that what I have in the photo.

So, on an 89Si, how does the clutch pedal come back?

 

If the clutch cable is disconnected, the pedal will remain either fully out, or fully in if you push it down. That's the way it is.

I suspect you may be having a problem with the clutch itself or some other part.

 

Really - so it is pressure from the clutch itself that pulls the cable - and pedal - back out?

If that's the case the previous - previous owner might have installed the clutch wrong. The problem is the clutch hangs and doesn't let go when you release the clutch. It still grabs strong - I keep unintentionally lighting up the tires. If I just take it real easy everything is fine - it just takes a long time for the clutch to let go, like 1/2 a second every time.

 

that spring isnt gonna make the clutch stay engaged... if the cable itself is sticking or maybe even the spring inside the trans on the release fork is broken? operate the clutch and have someone watch the release arm on the trans. see if it operates smoothly

 

Well, it doesn't feel smooth... it feels like the shaft is worn. Happened in my 1st gen when the throwout bearing went bad. Unfortunately the shaft is part of the bell housing on a 1st gen!

Looks like I'll be cracking this one open to get to the bottom of this. Oy.