Sticky Clutch in Reverse

Have a 1996 Tacoma (2.4L, manual) with 190k miles, which I've had for a couple years. In the last month, it's started to have some shifting issues. When I shift into reverse, I'm not able to shift out, even with the clutch pedal down. Have to shut off the engine to shift out. This doesn't happen every time I put it in reverse, but often.

I took a look at the clutch fluid reservoir (has fluid), and felt for leaking fluid around the top of the clutch pedal, around the clutch master cylinder, and the slave/release cylinder. No leaks that I can feel.

It's been cold here in Oregon lately, but I'm not sure if that has any bearing on the clutch hydraulics. I was thinking my next step would be to bleed the system in case there is air in there.

Anyone have advice to share? I appreciate it.

My friend offered to help me put in a new clutch, and clutch kits are under $100 at Partsgeek, so I'm considering that as well, but I want to know it needs one before I do so.

 

I'm not sure it's you clutch. Since it only happens in reverse, it would be inside tranny. Do some searching on the tranny sticking.

 

This was the first symptom of my master cylinder needing to be replaced.

Is your issue hydraulic, eg sometimes you push the clutch pedal down and it stays down?

 

Thanks for your thoughts. I drove the truck today, and it ran fine for a while, then had the same problem with reverse.
It also has had a similar thing happen in 1st gear a couple times: I have it in 1st, push in the clutch pedal, but it seems like it stays in gear—I can't shift it out until the engine stalls and the engine turns off.

I'm not sure the issue is hydraulic or not, trying to figure that out! The pedal does feel a bit funny when it has gotten stuck in gear, but I don't think it stays completely down. Any suggestions to help determine if it's a hydraulic issue? No obvious leaks, and I tried the fluid rise test for a bad master cylinder—watching the level in the clutch fluid reservoir while a friend pushed the pedal and released it—but didn't see anything conclusive there.

 

I had the same issue with my truck, it would randomly get stuck in gear in reverse or first only. Happens a couple times and had to really hold on the brakes and turn the engine off to get it out of gear. replacing the master and slave cylinders and fluid flush fixed it. They can leak internally I believe

Also my clutch pedal would occasionally not always return up by itself and I'd have to pull it up with my foot. That also happened at random times, went on for almost a year before it started getting stuck in gear

 

This is probably not happening to you, but it did to me. First the clutch did not disengage fully when pedal was fully pressed down, and finally the clutch stopped working altogether. It was after over 260k miles and 11 years.

The reason was: the lever that is pushed by slave and suppose to push a clutch developed a crack. To replace this 20 dollars part the whole clutch had to be removed. The clutch was still OK, but while I had it out, it was no brainer to replace the set. My truck is now 318k miles and 22 years but clutch hydraulics are still like new (or at least work like new).

 

Replace your clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder

 

Just look under the truck - the slave is clearly visible. Get someone to step on the clutch pedal while you are watching the slave. You will see the piston moving and pushing the clutch lever. In my case the piston moved and I saw the lever bending instead of moving.

Oh, and don't do that while engine running so by accident you would not get overrun by your own truck.

 

Thanks all. Just ordered LUK slave and master cylinders, as well as clutch kit, from Partsgeek. I'll install the cylinders and see if that solves it. If not, I guess I'll replace the whole clutch with my more knowledgeable friend.

 

Sounds exactly like my problem! Let me know if the master/ slave replacement fixes your problem

 

Yup... sounds exactly like the progression I had. No signs of a leak. Pedal felt great sometimes. Fluid in the reservoir acted appropriately.

Then the pedal would get stuck to the floor, etc. Would have to brake until the truck stalled in order to stop.

Turned out to be a bad master cylinder.

 

Swapped out clutch master and slave cylinders.... not sure which was the problem, but the truck shifts like a dream (and comes out of gear without stalling the engine!). Thanks for the advise guys!