Help the clutchless

Dennis in Colorado

Dedicated Member
American Zeds
Joined
May 30, 2018
Points
43
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Model of Z
2.3
Ok, I need help... with the Z.However, I may need help, but lets not open that can of worms, shall we.

Problem one

Cruzzzze control. I'm not able. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I could start my day, drive 60 of the 90 miles with it on. Go through stop and go traffic for 20 miles, cruz is off. and then the last leg, no cruz. won't set. Nothing. Other times, I have cruz going to work, fully. And then the drive home, nothing. And sometimes the other side; nothing to work, ccruz after work. When I got the Z, the radio wasn't working well. some wiring and one speaker failed on the driver side. You can bang on the door, and it would work. But, then the cruz didn't. All that wiring and speakers are now fixed with the new system. Still this problem with cruz. Banging on the door just gives me headache. so, now I use my fist, still nothing. Now, for three days, no cruz all all. where do I look. I only have the weekend's to work on the Z, so a list of what, and maybe where to look is needed for this deranged old person. I purchased a DRL module and should be installing that this weekend. So, if there are things in that area to look at, tear out or otherwise muff up, please let me know.

Clutch

It is altogether possible that I'm suffering from oldtermiers, however, I learned how to drive on a stick. and I was pretty good, after I burned out a clutch or two. I even taught folks how to enjoy the ancient days of bygone days when you had to do everything yourself. I get the strangest looks from the youngins these days; Wait, what? Shift? Is that the same as putting it in drive?

First, second and third.... is like driving on rocky road ice cream. Bumpy, jerky, and smoshy. Sometimes, I have to push the clutch all the way to the floor for first, and other times no. Doesn't matter if the Z was sitting all night or driving to work. Stop and go traffic, has giving me whiplash, and I can't sue myself according to the lawyer. Second, the same, but not has bad. At first, I thought it was me. After all, I haven't driven a stick for 15 some out years. and then, it was a 2 ton truck, school bus (love those double clutching :eek:) or a base model ford that has the two hamsters for an engine with the dummy light to let you know when to s***... I mean shift.

But, when it would happen in third and fourth, well, I blamed the wife. I couldn't be me, heavens forbid. There was also clunking and other such strange noises coming from the back. So, I took it to a place as I had no clue, and low and behold; the trannie had leaking output seal, half full and dirty fluid, possible the incorrect fluid, and torn flex joint. Now all fixed. Seem to fix the issue, but it was just me trying to push it for the first few times. The problem is back. Spirited driving or not, the clunks, the jerking, sometimes can't find first.

One observation: if I'm getting on the freeway, and I need to act like Mario Andretti; from 2ed, it halls donkeys. The first time, I was at 95 when I actually looked down to see what I was doing. Smooth as silk. The Z was at home cruzing. I left a boxster in the dust. We have lots dust here in Colorado.

I'm not really comfortable taking it in, as I might get nikel and dime diagnoses with thousand dollar bills.

I will look to see if I have a cvd and remove it if present.
On the books is a flexible stainless clutch line and new slave.

The Z is 114,000 years old, so I was thinking of a new rebuilt vanos, but mine looks clean as a whistle. And how clean is a whistle if people keep blowing it? :confused:

Help

:bag:
 

NZ00Z3

Zorg Guru (IV)
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New Zealand Zeds
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Dec 9, 2014
Points
158
Location
Timaru, New Zealand
Model of Z
3.0L, 2.8L, 2.0L Z3 Roadsters
Hi

The cruise control problem is mostly likely being caused by a faulty brake light switch (by the brake peddle). It has two contacts, 1 drives the brake lights and he other is a test circuit. The test circuit contacts tend to die and stop the cruise control from setting. This can be confirmed by pulling the error codes from the DME and you'll have one saying something like "BLS/BTS implausible".

How many miles has the car done? It could be time for a new clutch and flywheel.
 

Dennis in Colorado

Dedicated Member
American Zeds
Joined
May 30, 2018
Points
43
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Model of Z
2.3
It's 114,000 years old.

I didn't think to check for codes. does it set this code and not set the check engine light? I will check when I get home.
 

NZ00Z3

Zorg Guru (IV)
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New Zealand Zeds
Joined
Dec 9, 2014
Points
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Location
Timaru, New Zealand
Model of Z
3.0L, 2.8L, 2.0L Z3 Roadsters
Yes the error code for the brake switch will be set but will not set the CEL as it is not engine performance related.

I changed the clutch and flywheel on my manual car at 97,000 miles and got rid of a judder problem. Both the flywheel and clutch were worn and had to be replaced.
 

roadvoyager1

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
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Dec 1, 2013
Points
128
Location
Shotley Bridge
Model of Z
2.8ltr
I think you will need to read the codes from the round socket under the hood rather than the OBD2 port under the steering column which only accesses engine management modules.
 

Dennis in Colorado

Dedicated Member
American Zeds
Joined
May 30, 2018
Points
43
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Model of Z
2.3
Update:

No codes for the curz control, no codes at all. I used the port in the engine bay.

I took my Z to a performance shop, to take a look and see if they will add performance stuff. The local places around town will not add anything but OME parts, not even a stainless steel clutch line. I know I can do it. However, if there is something not right with the clutch, that isn't a job I can do.

The shop looked over and test drove the Z and said, we need a better look. There are some issues, that may not be altogether the clutch. didn't cost me anything for them to have a look see and drive it around. It goes back this coming Saturday for a thorough look see and plan a course of action.

On a side note; at first they were going off of what I told them is happening, and suggested a single mass flywheel from ECS. However, after asking me a few questions, they think a standard setup with better parts might be in order. They were thinking if I was going to abuse the clutch, it didn't make sense to go with the single mass. I want to eventually take the Z to 120, but it doesn't feel really stable at 85-95. But, I'm not going to race it. Just drive it to work, and mountain drives with lots of twisties. There would be clutch work as it will be hilly and it's a long drop if one slides of the road. What does ye thinkest?
 

Dennis in Colorado

Dedicated Member
American Zeds
Joined
May 30, 2018
Points
43
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Model of Z
2.3
Continue update. Took the Z to a performance shop to go over the clutch. They believe the issues is not clutch/flywheel issue. although it could be getting old. An unofficial test shows that it can go from 0-60 in less than 10 seconds. They found that the mounts need to be changed. And perhaps the rear diff needs to be serviced. They also said that the front control arms need to be serviced as they are showing ware.

The game plan is to address the control arms, and change the trans mounts. Then check into the diff.

No curz testing/diag yet.
 

t-tony

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British Zeds
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E89 Z4 23i Auto

Bampz

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Pembrokeshire
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Hi Dennis , could be worth changing gearbox and diff oils if not already done made my gear changes smoother especially lower gears also check condition of diff mount rubber could be breaking apart
Good luck
 

Dennis in Colorado

Dedicated Member
American Zeds
Joined
May 30, 2018
Points
43
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Model of Z
2.3
Ok, update on this issue.

The shop said the clutch seems to be ok. They drove it through its paces on a track.They were able to look inside without taking it apart. At this stage, they said that the clutch looks fine. It will be going in this coming weekend to have a stainless clutch line, new slave and master cylinders put it. They are using M parts.

However, there is a lot of play in the steering and front suspension. Also some clutch (trans) mounts needed to be replace. So, they installed new control arms and bushing from an M3. Fixed the mounts and changed the rear diff oil. They had an issue with the alignment process and they said the numbers are off a bit to make it aligned. They also found that the steering was off and they fixed that. Due to the trouble with the alignment, they have suggested to look further in the front suspension. Thinking that a knuckle is out of align or bent. However, they suggested to change the shocks first considering the car is; at 118,000, 18 years old and no history on the shocks which looks original. They also think it might be something with the strut being possibly bent.

I drove it on the highway today, and the feel is a lot tighter. Steering is better and that clump noise from the back when switching gears is less noticeable. The sound is different, not loud, but I no longer feel it in the clutch pedal.


Cruz control

Well, I installed a DRL module from leather Z, and the cruz seems to work everytime so far. However, as per the warning on their site, my 2000 Z airbag light has turned on. Removing the module makes it go away, after you reset the codes. I didn't write down the codes, I just reset it to test it. So, now that is another mystery to solve. I will check the code this weekend.


The good news is at 85-90 mph doesn't feel flighty anymore, very tight, even at 100 mph. I had to try it... I was compelled to try it. the devil made me do it.
 

Dennis in Colorado

Dedicated Member
American Zeds
Joined
May 30, 2018
Points
43
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Model of Z
2.3
Hi Dennis , could be worth changing gearbox and diff oils if not already done made my gear changes smoother especially lower gears also check condition of diff mount rubber could be breaking apart
Good luck
Thanks.... the gearbox (transmission?) was replaced a little while back It turned out that the trans had several bad seals, was half full of the incorrect fluid. All that was fixed and brought up to speed.
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Dennis, look at the top right hand corner of your first post in this thread. You should see a box saying thread tools? Click on that and then Edit Title.

Tony.
 
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