Hard Launch Clutch Pedal Didn't Fully Engage

rlcowley · 07-11-2019, 09:29 AM

At the last Autocross event I participated in, the starting line was fairly straight meaning that you could really launch the car hard (M6).

On several of my launches (using launch control set to automatic) the clutch pedal wouldn't fully come off the floor. It's like the car's computer was leaving the last couple inches disengaged to protect the drive train. Is this a thing?

The RPM's would continue to rev but the clutch wouldn't fully engage so I had a horrible start and when I came back to the pit's, there was an obvious clutch smell. It only fully engaged when I lifted off the throttle pedal a little bit.

I thought these drivetrains were supposed to be pretty strong?

Osbornsm · 07-11-2019, 11:02 AM

1. Glazed your clutch surface launching to "smoothly"
2. Check your brake fluid reservoir, full?

Just throwing crap at the wall here...

Gunkk · 07-11-2019, 11:25 AM

3. sticky throw out bearing.

Alpha1BC · 07-11-2019, 12:23 PM

I agree. There's no electronic control for the clutch, whatever the issue is will be a mechanical failure.

rlcowley · 07-11-2019, 02:21 PM

Brake reservoir is full. Recently did a DOT 4 change.

Likely glazed clutch. Really hard to modulate the launch. The sweet spot must be smaller than my ex-wifes heart. Releasing the clutch any quicker and the engine usually cuts out. I think that must be what the notorious "engine bog" is?

Alpha1BC · 07-11-2019, 04:35 PM

Were you feathering while using launch control? Launch control on these cars is designed to press the clutch all the way, put in first, go to WOT, then dump the clutch. Shouldn't ever kill the engine if everything is OK with the car, and also shouldn't feather the clutch as this will interfere with the launch control algorithm and can damage stuff (including the clutch).

If not, maybe there's air in the system from the swap to dot4?

07-11-2019, 09:29 AM	#1
rlcowley Drives: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Utah Posts: 15	Hard Launch Clutch Pedal Didn't Fully Engage At the last Autocross event I participated in, the starting line was fairly straight meaning that you could really launch the car hard (M6). On several of my launches (using launch control set to automatic) the clutch pedal wouldn't fully come off the floor. It's like the car's computer was leaving the last couple inches disengaged to protect the drive train. Is this a thing? The RPM's would continue to rev but the clutch wouldn't fully engage so I had a horrible start and when I came back to the pit's, there was an obvious clutch smell. It only fully engaged when I lifted off the throttle pedal a little bit. I thought these drivetrains were supposed to be pretty strong?

07-11-2019, 11:02 AM	#2
Osbornsm Drives: 2018 SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 617 View My Garage	1. Glazed your clutch surface launching to "smoothly" 2. Check your brake fluid reservoir, full? Just throwing crap at the wall here... __________________ 2018 Camaro SS 1LE - 2011 370z - 2004 VW R32 - 2000 Civic Si Mods: Rotofab, Nick Williams 103mm TB, MSD IM, Kooks 1 7/8 Results: 470 hp / 447 tq

07-11-2019, 11:25 AM	#3
Gunkk Thank you Al Oppenheiser! Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 4,975 View My Garage	more crap 3. sticky throw out bearing.

07-11-2019, 12:23 PM	#4
Alpha1BC Drives: 2017 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 1,001	I agree. There's no electronic control for the clutch, whatever the issue is will be a mechanical failure. __________________ 2017 SS 1LE.

07-11-2019, 04:35 PM	#6
Alpha1BC Drives: 2017 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 1,001	Were you feathering while using launch control? Launch control on these cars is designed to press the clutch all the way, put in first, go to WOT, then dump the clutch. Shouldn't ever kill the engine if everything is OK with the car, and also shouldn't feather the clutch as this will interfere with the launch control algorithm and can damage stuff (including the clutch). If not, maybe there's air in the system from the swap to dot4? __________________ 2017 SS 1LE.

07-11-2019, 02:21 PM	#5
rlcowley Drives: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Utah Posts: 15	Brake reservoir is full. Recently did a DOT 4 change. Likely glazed clutch. Really hard to modulate the launch. The sweet spot must be smaller than my ex-wifes heart. Releasing the clutch any quicker and the engine usually cuts out. I think that must be what the notorious "engine bog" is?

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