Synergie 1997 1.9TDi clutch pedal problem

Confiteor · Unread post by **Confiteor** » 07 Mar 2006, 17:22

Hello,

I have a 1997 Citroen Synergie 1.9 TD.

A few months ago, the clutch began to give way, with the pedal shooting into the floor when I applied pressure. I could then pull it back up by hand, and it would be fine again for a while, then the same thing would happen.

I ignored it for a while, and then the gear change became very crunchy. Eventually, the clutch jammed down again big-time and knackered the pressure plate good and proper.

I had the clutch replaced in December, and everything seemed to be pretty much back to normal.

However, in the last week or so, the disappearing clutch problem has returned.

It feels like something very near to the pedal itself snaps or pops out of place, but then pulling the pedal back up tends to fix it for another wee while.

When the pedal works, the new clutch itself is still working fine and gear changes are OK.

I am wondering what could be causing the pedal to give way like this? The puzzle is that pulling it back up will cure it for a while. A snapped cable or busted cable clips wouldn't temporarily repair in this way, would they? So what could the problem be?

What could give way then pop back into place, then give way again?

Any help would be appreciated.

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 07 Mar 2006, 17:51

Is it a cable clutch? if so I would suspect the auto adjust mechanism, which is probably part of the cable, is faulty.

8304 · Unread post by **8304** » 07 Mar 2006, 21:37

it might be the self adjuster if it has one or it might also be the plastic clip between the pedal and the cable doing funny things - the one on my zx gave me trouble so i repalced it with a one piece aluminium one which is really tough.

does yours have a self adjuster?

Confiteor · Unread post by **Confiteor** » 08 Mar 2006, 17:55

I've have just uploaded two images of my footwell and an exploded image of the parts taken from Citroen's parts website.

One (arrows2.jpg) is taken looking straight into the pedals area, and the other (arrows.jpg) is taken from slightly to the left (from nearer the centre of the car).

I have placed two arrows onto my digital photographs.

The yellow arrow is pointing at what I take to be the clutch pedal pivot bolt. Can you confirm this is so?

The red arrow is pointing to what Citroen describe as the CABLE GUIDE (part number 10 on exploded parts image). When the clutch pedal pops, the noise comes from this area, or just slightly below it. Do you reckon it might be this part that needs replaced? Is this part in any way equivalent to the "dreaded" clip on Xantias?

The pictures are here:

Pedals: http://www.myguff.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/arrows.jpg
Pedals2: http://www.myguff.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/arrows2.jpg
Parts guide: http://www.myguff.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/untitled.bmp

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 08 Mar 2006, 20:14

Looking at the pictures it certainly looks like the guide (item # 10) is the problem. This seems to be the only part holding back the outher sheath of the clutch cable, and if it can not do so, then the pedal will precisely pop down as the cable sheath is pulled beyond the edge of item # 10.

Please note that it could as well be a similar problem on the other end of the cable - at the clutch - that causes the same symptom. Investigate before you decide on parts purchase.

And no - the problem has nothing to do with the Xantia cable clip. This is the "yaw" bit on end of cable that snaps off.

BTW : Anyone have an interpretation from UK Citroen model designations "Synergie" and other van designations - to the DK "Jumpy", " Jumper", C25, C35 & "Evation" (van) model designations ?

Confiteor · Unread post by **Confiteor** » 17 Mar 2006, 16:09

Just in case this thread is ever useful for anyone else in the future, I thought I'd add some "closure".

It did indeed turn out to be a faulty adjuster on the cable. Top marks Peter N!

My local garage replaced the whole cable for £72. The cable worked out at around £35, with the rest being labour. I was very happy with that.

The car feels like new. The clutch action is MUCH lighter than it has been in all the time I've had the car.

Thanks for everyone's help.