Repair and Diagnosis: Transmission: Clutches: Description

The clutch is a dry single disc type diaphragm-spring. The diaphragm spring is a tapering-finger type, which has a solid ring in the outer diameter part, with a series of tapering fingers pointing inward. The disc, carrying 4 torsional coil springs, is positioned on the transaxle input shaft with a serration fit.

The clutch cover is secured to the flywheel, and carries the diaphragm spring in such a way that the peripheral edge part of the spring pushes on the pressure plate against the flywheel (with the disc in between), when the clutch release bearing is held back. This is the engaged position of the clutch.

Depressing the clutch pedal causes the release bearing to advance and pushes on the tips of the tapering fingers of the diaphragm spring. When this happens, the diaphragm spring pulls the pressure plate away from the flywheel, thereby interrupting the flow of drive from flywheel through clutch disc to transaxle input shaft.

The clutch start switch is mounted above the clutch pedal. This switch is in the starter motor circuit, and operates according to movement of the clutch pedal. When staring engine, the clutch pedal should be fully depressed in order to turn on this switch. If the clutch pedal is released or is not depressed all the way, this switch is "OFF" and the starter motor will not run even if the ignition key is in the "START" position.