I normally having some tech gurus in my local area for help but I moved to Germany earlier this year (no mechanically savvy coworkers) and am at a loss. I've done some research over the past week but cannot for the life of me figure out the issue.

It all started 2 weeks ago while traveling home from work. I went to shift from 3rd to 4th and when I pressed the clutch the car immediately died. Kicked it into 4th and let out the clutch and it fired right back up. Strange. The same thing happened 2 more times, once right after starting up and once while coming to a stop sign. Since then, the car occasionally has trouble starting up (I thought maybe because it is now cold out). I've since kept it parked and grabbed rides to work from friends, only turning the car on until I figure out what's going on. When I do drive it, the clutch pedal sometimes but VERY rarely sticks when coming back to the top.

Yesterday, after being away for 4 days, I fired the car up (it struggled) and let it sit for a second. As soon as I tried to reverse out of my driveway, it lost power and died. It struggled to fire back up and when it did, I had to keep mashing the gas in order to keep it from dying. Now, VTEC isn't working either (it was previously when issues first started happening). While driving, if I kick it in neutral or leave the clutch pressed too long, the RPM's will go below normal idle and give that little shake as if it's about to stall.

Sounds like multiple issues at once (clutch pedal and dying/stalling) but I am by no means mechanically savvy aside from basic maintenance. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Sounds like a MAP sensor issue, but not a lot to go on.

 

You getting any CEL errors?

 

bad clutch slave cyl???

 

Updates:

No CEL errors.

If I start the car, drive for a short time and then cut it off, it does not want to cut back on. Car died around the corner from my house last night and I had to push it the rest of the way home. This morning, it was a little weak starting (as usual) but did fire up.

Took the MAP sensor off last night to try and clean it but same result with the car the next morning.

 

07 huh, I really hope it's not what I think it could be. There's been some issues with defective thrust washers in 07 engines, leading to similar symptoms. I would bypass the clutch switch, that is if it's not too late already. If you have a helper, have them press the clutch with the accessory belt removed and see if the crank pulley moves in and out.

If that's the case then you have a heck of a job ahead of you.

 

USDM car (AP2)? The 2007 AP1 (2000cc) cars seem to be the thrust washer problem children (from messages from abroad).

-- Chuck

 

Is there thrust bearing issues with OEM pressure plates? Whether AP1 or AP2?

Thanks!

 

Yes, it's USDM. Brought it to Germany from the US.

Been looking at this thrust washer issue. Really hope that isn't it

 

Yes, it's USDM. Brought it to Germany from the US.

Been looking at this thrust washer issue. Really hope that isn't it