Clutch stays on floor?

[Paul & Wendy]

Hi All,
My wife's 2003 2L 5 speed manual with 30,000 miles has just failed- the clutch went from showing no problems at all to staying about 1 or 2 inches off the floor and will not return to the normal position.
I was thinking of trying to bleed the system as a first and simple attempt to repair it- do you think that this might be the cause, or from anyone's experience, is it more likely to be one of the hydraulic cylinders? There is no obvious sign of fluid leaking.
Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.
Thanks, Paul

[VdubOne]

You may need to replace the clutch, on one of my old cars the clutch pedal stuck on the floor and i found out that the clutch plate/disc had to be replaced

[bugasm99]

very well could be the slave cylinder on top of the trans. If this suddenly happened out of nowhere, I would say it is more likely the slave. Its an easy fix so I would try before pulling the trans.

[jpsmit]

My wife's car had the same issue - and then after a few minutes, when traffic sped up, she used her foot to pull up the clutch and it continued to work just fine BTW 2002 Beetle/ 90k miles

[Deserion]

I'll also vote on the slave cylinder. Did that once on my '00.

[raymondlee]

slave cylinder or master cylinder

[jpsmit]

Originally Posted by raymondlee

slave cylinder or master cylinder

how hard a job is that?

[nyum96]

Slave is easy. Master is a little harder but easy. Don't forget the white, plastic clip (round) on the master cylinder. you will break it. $3 at the dealer, I think.

[Paul & Wendy]

Originally Posted by jpsmit

My wife's car had the same issue - and then after a few minutes, when traffic sped up, she used her foot to pull up the clutch and it continued to work just fine BTW 2002 Beetle/ 90k miles

Outcome of the fault is the same as with your car - if you pull up the pedal, it returns to normal. Has done this twice now, but am now prepared - just pull it up and keep on driving.
Thanks for all the suggestions - paul

[dhc8guru]

Originally Posted by Paul & Wendy

Outcome of the fault is the same as with your car - if you pull up the pedal, it returns to normal. Has done this twice now, but am now prepared - just pull it up and keep on driving.
Thanks for all the suggestions - paul

F.Y.I if you change out your clutch/brake fluid, this problem will go away. I first experienced this on my Isuzu Trooper. Changed the clutch fluid which, came out looking like crude oil, pumped some fresh fluid through to get all the old fluid and dirt out before you button things up.

[NewBeetleMechanic]

Originally Posted by dhc8guru

F.Y.I if you change out your clutch/brake fluid, this problem will go away. I first experienced this on my Isuzu Trooper. Changed the clutch fluid which, came out looking like crude oil, pumped some fresh fluid through to get all the old fluid and dirt out before you button things up.

^Totally agree^

If the brake fluid is any other color then clear, it needs to be replaced.