Clutch pedal crash to the floor

[howard]

Hello,
I was putting my A3 car in reverse and the clutch pedal fell to the floor without coming back up. I also noticed that a white connector fell out from under the steering column.
Any ideas what could be the problem? The AA guy reckons it could be a clutch cable connecting to the pedal that has been broken. Audi dealer without looking at the car reckons it may be the master cylinder that has ceased up which will cost £400 to replace. I am hoping it is the former.

Thanks in advance for your help,
H.

 

[Administrators]

Hi was the white bit a plastic clip looking thing about an inch long?
It sounds like the master cylinder has come apart it could have just broken the plastic bit that goes on the end of the shaft that presses the piston. I can't see why it would cost £400 pounds to replace. The part comes off from inside the car, yes the pipes and the hoses are a bit of a pig to do but not impossible. I would suggest that you find a good Audi specialist to do the job.

 

[chrisp]

Hi, I had the same thing on my 52 plate S3 when it was 2 weeks old (luckily under warranty so don't know how much it would have cost). No clip fell out but pedal hit the floor and was coaxed back up with fingers - then was ok to drive, but straight to dealership where they told me it was a master cylinder failure.

 

[howard]

Admin,
Yes you are correct it is a white sort of rectangle/square connector about 1" inch. I am hoping it is just that bit is the issue.

Regards H.

 

[darko]

its not a big problem if its the same one i had - here is a link to my old post :

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=16928

 

[g-man]

Hello,
I was putting my A3 car in reverse and the clutch pedal fell to the floor without coming back up. I also noticed that a white connector fell out from under the steering column.
Any ideas what could be the problem? The AA guy reckons it could be a clutch cable connecting to the pedal that has been broken. Audi dealer without looking at the car reckons it may be the master cylinder that has ceased up which will cost £400 to replace. I am hoping it is the former.

Thanks in advance for your help,
H.

I had the same problem (twice!) in my old A3. The clutch is not controlled by a cable, so that is not the problem. I had to get the cylinder replaced but it was done under warranty (I think the bill was about 200quid that Audi paid). The second time it happened, the actual pedal inside the housing snapped! They welded it back on and it wasn't a problem again.

G-man

 

[darko]

I think the problem comes from a worn out clutch / clutch release bearing becoming heavy, this puts strain on the pedals ability to activate the master cylinder. Combined with the design of the pedal and where it is not welded this causes the pedal to snap and the clips to shatter.

I bought a new pedal had it welded where it should have been and when all back together it worked fine, i later had a new clutch fitted and the pedal was much easier to push down so clearly it causes a strain when the clutch is worn out / wearing out

 

[claudefrog]

could be the welds holding the little white clip in place have broken off the pedal

 

[howard]

Hello All,
well I got the shout back from Audi they said that it needs a new master cylinder and a clutch pedal.

Thanks for all your help,
H.