What is the problem when the clutch pedal does not return after being pressed?
3 Answers
The reasons why the clutch pedal of a car does not return after being pressed are as follows: 1. Air enters the clutch pipeline system, causing excessive clutch travel and poor return. This fault can be self-diagnosed. When the clutch pedal is repeatedly pressed, the pedal will rise. Most of the time, this is due to air entering the hydraulic system. In this case, the cause of the air entry should be identified and repaired as soon as possible. 2. The clutch fluid is dirty with impurities, causing severe wear of the internal piston of the clutch master cylinder or blockage of the return oil hole, resulting in the clutch not returning. 3. As the vehicle mileage increases, the clutch return spring loses its elasticity or breaks, causing the clutch pedal not to return. 4. Excessive wear gap of the clutch linkage push rod causes poor return.
I encountered this issue last time—the clutch pedal wouldn't return after being pressed. It's most likely one of the following problems: the clutch slave cylinder might be faulty, either leaking fluid or with a stuck piston; or the clutch pedal itself could be rusted or lacking lubrication, making it feel noticeably sticky when pressed; another possibility is a failed release bearing stuck on the guide sleeve; more commonly, it's due to an aging master cylinder seal leaking fluid, often accompanied by the pedal feeling increasingly soft with each press. A clutch pedal that doesn't return is extremely dangerous—last time it happened to me on the highway, I almost couldn't shift gears and barely managed to pull over in time. It cost over 400 to tow it to the repair shop and replace the master cylinder before it was fixed.
I've noticed many car owners encounter clutch issues, with the most common being the clutch pedal not returning due to low hydraulic fluid. Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir, which also serves as the clutch fluid reservoir. If the fluid level is below the minimum mark, air entering the system can cause this problem. Another possibility is lack of lubrication on the pedal pivot shaft, which is common in older vehicles—applying some grease might help. If the clutch pedal returns slowly after several pumps, it's likely due to a leaking slave cylinder. I remember one rainy day when my clutch suddenly became heavy; upon inspection, it turned out the slave cylinder was leaking, causing the clutch disc to slip.
