Need some help with my car troubles!

So my car has been running a little sluggishly lately, not accelerating at the pace it used to. I've been planning on taking it in next Sat. until it decided last night that wasn't soon enough!

Basically it now won't go over 20 mph and it takes FOREVER to get going that fast. It's a 2004 with 32,000 miles on it. My fear is that my clutch has gone out on me. My other fear is that because it's the clutch, the dealership will say it's not covered under the waranty and I'm going to have to shell out $$$$ that I (of course) don't have.

However, I think that 32000 miles is WAY too soon for my clutch to have died! And if that's the case the dealership should have to repair it free. Does anyone have any statistics on how many miles the "average" clutch is good for? And in the mean time can you send some "cheap repair" vibes to my car so it won't try to bankrupt me?

I guess I'll find out the bad news tomorrow after it gets towed there. Oh you cars, always breaking when it's most inconvinient!

~Julia

Under general use, 32k is a bit soon for a clutch, but not if this is 32K of predominantly city miles.
Stop and go traffic can wear them out pretty quickly.
What exactly is it doing to make you suspect the clutch, and what make is it?

It's a mix of several long road trips (400 to 1500 miles each trip) and just general driving around. I'm lucky in that I work within 5 min. of my house and my bf takes mass transit. (most people in atlanta have a 30 min. to 2 hour commute each way).

I think it's the clutch because the engine is running great. Really smooth, just no power behind it. I just put in new spark plugs, hoping that was the problem, but it didn't help at all. Currently, once we get up to 20 mph, you can throw it in any gear (1-5) and you get the same result, which is it sounds like you're in 1st but without any power.

It's a Hyundai Accent, 3 door. Poor car, it needs to get better as it's the only car we have!

~Julia

Could be clutch, certainly doesn't sound like an engine issue.
I have checked usegroups and there are no red flag issues for the car in general.

I might also suspect the MAF sensor, normally the MAF would cause a false check engine signal in the onboard computer, causing the light to come on, not always though.

My truck make/model is famous for a bad MAF sensor, symptoms are very similar.

Interesting. No warning lights have come on at all. Though every now and then (about every 6 months or so) the check engine light comes on for a few hours and then goes off. I've slacked and haven't had it checked out.

Thanks for looking around for me! What does the MAF sensor do?

~Julia

Originally Posted by jlutgendorf

However, I think that 32000 miles is WAY too soon for my clutch to have died! And if that's the case the dealership should have to repair it free.

Click to expand...

I think I have to say something about this!

I work in a dealership and hear this all too often

Have you been the only owner of this vehicle? Be sure to take it to a Genuine Honda Dealer, so in case there is something wrong with the clutch - and you think it should still be under warranty (which usually warranty doesn't cover 'general mantienance' issues - ie. brakes, rotors, tires, engine issues, ect.) they can contact Honda directly and deal with the issue. Otherwise, if its general wear and tear on the clutch - then you will most likely have to pay for it out of your own pocket - unfortunately

My boss's son had just bought a 2004 Trailblazer - and it had some MAJOR engine issues - and he had just gone over the mileage to cover it under warranty (usually its 3 years or 36,000 miles, some are more, tho) and they wouldn't cover it because of that, and because its 'general maintance' - he had to shell out over $4,000 of his own money to pay for it - which sucks - but thats the joy of owning a car, right?

I really hope its nothing as bad as you think - and you don't have to pay out much, or nothing - to get it repaired!!

Let us know what you find out!

Yup, I've owned the car since it only had 24 miles on it! My waranty is for 5 years or 60,000 miles, and then there's an extended limited warranty for 10 years or 100,000 miles, though I think that only covers the drive train? Ugh, I can't remember, it's too early! But I would hope that I would still be covered at only 32,000 miles.

Well, the tow truck is on it's way. So my car and I will be hopefully going back to the Hyundai dealership today and well see what they say! I'll let you guys know. Hope it isn't the clutch!

~Julia

MAF sensor is the Mass Air Flow sensor, basically it helps regulate air intake into the fuel system.

Doesn't sound like a clutch problem to me. I am no car expert but it sounds like something else. When I think of clutch issues I think off trouble shifting gears or grinding of the gears while shifting. Perhaps its the transmission itself if you can't go over 20 miles an hour.

Originally Posted by Phenomsmom

Doesn't sound like a clutch problem to me. I am no car expert but it sounds like something else. When I think of clutch issues I think off trouble shifting gears or grinding of the gears while shifting. Perhaps its the transmission itself if you can't go over 20 miles an hour.

Click to expand...

I'm thinking the same, it might be the transmission. Whatever, here's lots of {{{{{inexpensive repairs vibes}}}}} for you!

Originally Posted by jlutgendorf

Yup, I've owned the car since it only had 24 miles on it! My waranty is for 5 years or 60,000 miles, and then there's an extended limited warranty for 10 years or 100,000 miles, though I think that only covers the drive train? Ugh, I can't remember, it's too early! But I would hope that I would still be covered at only 32,000 miles.

Well, the tow truck is on it's way. So my car and I will be hopefully going back to the Hyundai dealership today and well see what they say! I'll let you guys know. Hope it isn't the clutch!

~Julia

Click to expand...

In that case - you should be able to get something done!!

GOOD LUCK!!

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about sticks
But I am sending MEGA good car vibes your way {{{HUGS}}}

Thanks for the vibes and help guys.

It's definitely the clutch. When the tow guy got here this moring and tried to back it on the bed, he was like "hey, you know you're clutch is out?". Alas, yes I do.

Dealership also confirmed clutch, but they're still trying to see if it's under waranty or not. Turns out a part of the clutch is only guaranteed for 12,000 miles aaaaaand it costs $500 to fix! So now I'm just hoping that what ever is wrong is covered under the waranty. So I'm trying to concentrate on work and not worry too much about what's wrong with my poor car!

So now I guess I just hope for the best!

~Julia

Originally Posted by babyharley

I think I have to say something about this!

Have you been the only owner of this vehicle? Be sure to take it to a Genuine Honda Dealer, so in case there is something wrong with the clutch - and you think it should still be under warranty (which usually warranty doesn't cover 'general mantienance' issues - ie. brakes, rotors, tires, engine issues, ect.) they can contact Honda directly and deal with the issue. Otherwise, if its general wear and tear on the clutch - then you will most likely have to pay for it out of your own pocket - unfortunately

Click to expand...

I believe he said it was a Hyundai - not a Honda.

To the OP - I think the clutch issue is very subjective, i.e., it may depend on how each individual uses a clutch. My car is a 1995 with 230,000 kms and I've never needed a new clutch. Mind you my car is also a VW diesel.

yay! just got off the phone with the dealership and they're fixing the clutch and the hatchback (the hydrolics that keep it up stopped working) under the waranty! woo hoo!
But I'm trying not to get too excited until I can drive away in a happy car with some money still in my wallet.
Keeping my fingers crossed that it gets fixed soon!

~Julia