The clutch car system is a part of manual transmissions. While its design may vary, its fundamental function remains the same. Despite the rise of automatic transmissions, manual transmissions are still widely used in many vehicles. However, some automated manual transmissions (AMTs) and dual-clutch transmissions (DCTs) use clutches but operate them electronically without driver input. So, let's take a closer look at this issue with the inCarDoc team.
What is a clutch?
A clutch is a unit of the car transmission that provides interaction between the engine, gearbox and crankshaft. Its primary function is to transfer torque from the engine to the wheels through the gearbox. Additionally, the clutch helps absorb vibrations in the transmission and prevents overload. To provide high-quality car care, it is necessary to understand the basic characteristics and features of transmission clutch functionality. The clutch unit is quite an important and “multifaceted” unit in your car. Its main task is to ensure that the car could move from the thought and super-behaved on the road. However, driving a manual transmission requires special skills from the driver. The interaction between the engine and the transmission based on the disconnection/connection between them, and thus directly helps you to change speeds.
How does the clutch work?
The fundamental structure of the clutch mechanism is not variable. So, the main components include: flywheel, clutch disc, pressure plate and springs and the housing itself. We propose to consider the operating order of the clutch system to represent the process and its dependencies.
| 1. Press the pedal for clutch disengagement | 2. Gear change | |
| The driver presses the clutch pedal, which activates the exhaust bearing (ejection). That in turn presses on the spring and pressure plate, and it separates from the clutch disc. He is also separated from the flywheel in his skull. Now you can smoothly shift gears because the engine does not affect the transmission. | Before engaging a new gear, the manual transmission clutch disengages power, while the synchromesh mechanism aligns the gear speeds before engagement to prevent grinding. | |
| 3. Release the pedal for clutch engagement | 4. Continuous power transmission during driving | |
| This is the reverse process of the first. When the pedal is released, the pressure plate presses on the disk, and it pulls the flywheel. Due to friction, the engine power is transmitted to the transmission and drives the car. | When the clutch is fully engaged, the engine rotation power is continuously transmitted to the wheels. But to reduce/increase the speed or stop. | |
Therefore, the clutch works due to friction between the clutch disc and the flywheel. And springs keep the clutch disk engaged with the flywheel. Even though this system doesn’t have a complex configuration, it requires a careful operation. The principle of operation is illustrated in the clutch system diagram
Causes of clutch failure and how to monitor the system
Foremost, the nature of faults depends on the type of clutch system, and therefore troubleshooting will require a different approach. However, the common clutch-related failures in the manual transmission are:
-
Deformation and wear of the pressure plates caused by disk thinning.
-
Mechanical damage to parts caused by cracks, warping, or breakage in the clutch disc, pressure plate, or flywheel.
-
Spring weakening or failure caused by wear time
-
Damage, wear or failure of the exhaust bearing (ejection).
-
Failure of the clutch release fork
In fact, it can cause noise, gross displacement or difficulty disabling the clutch. It can also lead to a decrease in the performance and reliability of the mechanisms. To avoid this, you need to know how to monitor clutch vehicle. In fact, the rules for caring for the clutch system are simple. Check for slipping, listen for suspicious noises, check the operation of the system in different conditions, conduct a technical inspection of the car in time.
Are there any OBD2 DTC clutch-related errors?
To avoid any problems with the clutch, you can start OBD2 diagnostics at regular time. Today, this aim can be reached with DTC readers on smartphones. inCarDoc is one of "such a kind" apps. Download inCarDoc on iOS and Android and use OBD ELM37 adapter to start scanning the car for clutch-related trouble codes.
| 1. Reason: clutch actuator and engagement issues | 2. Reason: clutch control & hydraulic system faults | |
| 🔹 P0805 Clutch Position Sensor Circuit 🔹 P0806 Clutch Position Sensor Circuit Range/Performance 🔹 P0807 Clutch Position Sensor Circuit Low 🔹 P0808 Clutch Position Sensor Circuit High 🔹 P0809 Clutch Position Sensor Circuit Intermittent |
🔹 P0810 – Clutch Position Control Error 🔹 P0811 – Excessive Clutch Slippage 🔹 P0812 – Clutch Switch A Circuit 🔹 P0813 – Clutch Switch B Circuit |
|
| 3. Also: transmission & clutch-related DTCs | 4. Also: Dual-clutch transmission faults | |
| 🔹 P0900 – Clutch Actuator Circuit/Open 🔹 P0901 – Clutch Actuator Circuit Range/Performance 🔹 P0902 – Clutch Actuator Circuit Low 🔹 P0903 – Clutch Actuator Circuit High |
🔹 P0919 – Gear Shift Position Circuit 🔹 P0928 – Clutch B Actuator Control Circuit/Open 🔹 P0929 – Clutch B Actuator Control Circuit Low 🔹 P0930 – Clutch B Actuator Control Circuit High |
|
Clear all DTCs via the app and continue to monitor them to ensure that clutch-engine interaction works well and smoothly. We tried to explain the function of a clutch and manual transmission. We hope your driving will be a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
