Fiat clutch pedal stayed down

[Lucky]

My brand new Fiat based motorhome is almost faultless but after 100 miles use and a couple of days parked, I drove off and found the clutch pedal didn't return to the up position. Also the vehicle was in gear and the gear lever wouldn't move.

I solved the problem by easily lifting the clutch pedal by hand, and since then there's been no repeat of the issue.

Having googled the problem there's a suggestion it might, among other things, be a clutch slave cylinder problem. However, as I've since driven another 300 miles up hill and down dale without the problem returning, I am hoping it was a one off, perhaps due to air in the system.

I could speak to the mh dealer or more likely a Fiat Professional workshop but is there anyone here with technical knowledge who can offer advice - I'm hoping it was just a one off and I wont need to take it back.

 

[Mr Colpot]

I had the same issue on a 2007 van - I didnt realise I could lift it back up by hand until I had driven it without use of the clutch from Boulogne up to Calais. Clutch was replaced by the dealer under warranty when we returned home and problem didnt happen again. Suspected Slave Cylinder problem.

 

[Landy Andy]

You say “brand new” it that to you, or it‘s a 2021 vehicle?

 

[Nixdorfer]

I've seen it happen a few times over the years on various makes of vehicle, most found that lifting the pedal solved it and it tend to not happen again.

There are a few possible causes but its going to be a guessing game until it can be caught doing it again

1, The clutch slave cylinder or hydraulic bearing didn't return
2, The clutch master cylinder at the pedal end stuck
3, The clutch cover plate stuck in. (never seen it happen) and unlikely

I'd say from ones I've done its more likely to be the pedal end.
Normally I'd just say run it to see if it happens again as swapping parts that may not be the cause can get expensive.

But if it is brand new and under warranty them if it concerns you I'd just let them have the problem if its not going to cost you anything

 

[Lucky]

You say “brand new” it that to you, or it‘s a 2021 vehicle?

Yes, 2021 new.

Having been without a mh for a few months I'm reluctant to hand it back temporarily, so I might just report it to my dealer for now and see if it happens again. Come the autumn I can then take it in for inspection.... unless somebody in the know thinks I'm highly likely to get stranded.

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[Landy Andy]

Yes, 2021 new.

Having been without a mh for a few months I'm reluctant to hand it back temporarily, so I might just report it to my dealer for now and see if it happens again. Come the autumn I can then take it in for inspection.... unless somebody in the know thinks I'm highly likely to get stranded.

Sounds like a good plan to me

 

[Lucky]

Oops, just found this https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/my-ducato-clutch-nightmare.241739/#post-4519704

 

[gus-lopez]

Yes,slave cylinder usually air in or has not been properly bled.

 

[pappajohn]

If its air in system it won't happen just once.... It would be happening constantly unless the pedal is pumped numerous times to compress the air.
Its a sealed system and nowhere for any air to go.
That's why hydraulic systems have to be bled, the air can't get out on its own.

 

[tonyidle]

Make sure nothing is preventing the pedal from returning fully (when it does return).

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[Lenny HB]

If you take it back to the dealer and its working at the time they probably won't do anything. You are probably stuck with waiting for it to go wrong permantly before they fix it.

 

[Lucky]

Make sure nothing is preventing the pedal from returning fully (when it does return).

There wasn't but thanks for mentioning the possibility.

If you take it back to the dealer and its working at the time they probably won't do anything. You are probably stuck with waiting for it to go wrong permantly before they fix it.

Yes, I'd forgotten that old chestnut

 

[Landy Andy]

If its air in system it won't happen just once.... It would be happening constantly unless the pedal is pumped numerous times to compress the air.
Its a sealed system and nowhere for any air to go.
That's why hydraulic systems have to be bled, the air can't get out on its own.

Is it a sealed system?

Can the air not flow up to the reservoir?

 

[tonyidle]

Is it a sealed system?

Can the air not flow up to the reservoir?

The few I've seen use a tiny master cylinder tucked up behind the clutch pedal. They're fed by a small tube from a sectioned-off part of the brake fluid reservoir. Bleeding is via a tube usually clipped to the bell-housing.

 

[Landy Andy]

The last time i changed a slave cylinder and struggled to bleed it, I then propped the clutch pedal down overnight to allow any air to make its way up and out.

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[TinaLes]

Recent experience.
Had a big scare a couple of weeks back returning home from a Fun meet, it started about a mile from home while I was doing some stop/start, left/right turns. The clutch peddle felt very strange all of a sudden, I thought the worst as you do, what the hell has happened?, it been fine all the way so far.? The clutch peddle would not depress very far, and felt really strange.
It wasn't until I drove into our drive and parked up that the cause was revealed.
A Lemon from the fruit bowl had fallen out the bowl and somehow managed to work its way down the van to the front, and had miraculously wedged itself under the clutch peddle.
I was, as you can well imagine much relieved on discovering this by now much squashed Lemon, but it did make me laugh with much relief at the time....Phew I thought, thank goodness for that.
Yes I did feel a Right Lemon, before someone else mentions it.
Hope The OP gets the clutch problem sorted at a reasonable cost, & back on the road with confidence.
LES

 

[pappajohn]

Is it a sealed system?

Can the air not flow up to the reservoir?

Only if its pushed from below.... The fluid is too viscous to allow are to move under its own steam.