Stuck Clutch?

[QuiksilverHg]

So I've been working on getting better starts off the line with my 2011 2SS convertible. Normally I rev up to like 2500-3000 RPMs then slowly let out the clutch, but I know I can get better starts if I revved it up even more. Been waiting to try it out and decided to today.

So today I was at a stoplight coming back from Christmas and decided that was the time to give it a try. I revved the engine up to about 4000 RPMs and was going to ride the clutch to keep traction as I came off the line. When the light turned green I started letting off the clutch at what I thought was the appropriate speed, but for all the noise I was hardly moving. I let the clutch out a little more, and still felt like I was stuck in molasses, finally I completely took my foot off the clutch and I still was hardly moving.

I put my foot back down on the clutch, and realized it had hardly moved from where it normally first begins to engage...at this point I started worrying that something was seriously wrong (not helped by the cloud of smoke I could see in my mirror, and the pungent odor of burning clutch in my nose). I pushed in the clutch and tried to let it out again and it still didn't seem like it was tracking with my foot, or like it was fully engaging.

I forget exactly what I did at this point, it all happened within a few seconds, but I think I either shifted to 2nd, or let off the gas and tried letting out the clutch again. Either way it worked fine after that point, but I was reluctant to give it a full power start off the line for awhile.

So I'm not sure exactly what happened and am trying to figure it out. Do I have a weak clutch-spring? Is there some kind of feature in traction-control that keeps you from letting out the clutch too fast? I had not disengaged traction control or gone into competitive mode, as they've never had any negative effects on me so far. Or is there some phenomenon that normally occurs with aggressive starts that would keep the clutch from engaging all the way?

Also, what should I do now? Should I have the dealer check if I have a weak clutch-spring or have them check something else?

Should I try again to make sure I wasn't just imagining it? (pretty sure I wasn't)

Any ideas? Thanks for the help

[Weezerj]

I found this read (from this site) very informative.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...t=stuck+clutch

[QuiksilverHg]

Ugh, looks like I will need to inspect and possibly replace my clutch fluid.

Good site for info on clutch issues:
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html

[QuiksilverHg]

Wait a minute, if the clutch fluid needs replacing already, shouldn't this be covered under warranty? I bought my car Aprilish and have about 8300 miles on it. No reason I should have to change the clutch fluid already.

[MileMAN402]

I cycle new fluid in mine like you found on Rangers site with every oil change at least. I'll be putting the separate reservoir on as soon as it arrives