Help :( Broken down

Just started Norman. Pulled away and went from 1st to 2nd and the clutch pedal just slipped away. Limp! Like not attached to anything.

Called AA. Waiting.

Any ideas anyone can pass on before he arrives?

Sounds similar to what happened to Scooby last year on the way to the Daz Dub Doo!
It was the clutch cable - it had snapped
Hope you get it resolved with the AA

I'm guessing the clutch cable has snapped ... or broken away from its fixing. Oh dear you're not having the best new owner experience ... sorry about that.

If it is the clutch cable, and it's snapped at the clutch end, then you're better off fitting a cable from an early LHD Bay - it's long enough to do the whole job, rather than the original being extended as part of the conversion.

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Thanks Tim.

Would I have heard the snap? The pedal literally just gave away like it had slipped.

If I look under, what will I see. I'm guessing the AA guy won't have a spare clutch cable?

Is the clutch pedal loose in its position ie can you lift it up and down with your hand freely?

If so then the cable has gone. You probably won't be able to see where - you'll need to jack the Kombi up to get a look.

I've added to my first post about the cable that you need :LHD Early Bay clutch cable.

Ok Tim. Thanks.

If I push the cable to the floor it springs back up about 90% of the way. But yes, I can move it freely.

Surely this is covered in my warranty?

At least I'm only 1.5miles from home. Better than out camping.

Ok if the pedal is returning then chances are the cable is all still attached albeit it's not releasing the clutch. You may find the AA man is able to craft a bodge to get you home if he's got his wits about him.

Ok. Fingers crossed.

Thanks again Tim. If the cable has snapped would the pedal return?

It's literally like its pushing against nothing and then it returns.

If he can fix it, will I still need to take it somewhere?

Quick Q. Where's the jack point?

There are 2 jack points either side of the Kombi - if you've got a sidestep on the offside, that is fixed in them, nearside they are the square holes either side of the centre panel down by the seam.

EvoFylde wrote:

Ok. Fingers crossed.

Thanks again Tim. If the cable has snapped would the pedal return?

It's literally like its pushing against nothing and then it returns.

If he can fix it, will I still need to take it somewhere?

Depends on the problem - if the wing nut extension has broken, the cable may still be in the hook eye fixing on the clutch, hence it's still springing, but it's not fixed strongly enough to operate the clutch.

Thanks Tim.

Another quick Q. As I'm 200 miles from Danbury, do they normally send out parts and pay for repair as I can't be expected to tow it 200 miles south, can I?

You're right about poor first owner experience Tim. Second time AA been out for Norman. First time was day after his first service and he wouldn't start. The starter motor had been poorly connected but he fixes that in secs. And now this.

Then issue with expansion tank although that now seems ok.

Do I start questioning why I bought it?

We love it though, especially the kids and wife, but I'm staggered I've got clutch issues after having it new from December.

I think you need to have a chat with Danbury on Monday morning. Get home first and have a cuppa!

Home now. Norman left where he broke down a mile away. AA picking him up to tow back to Danbury in next 2hrs. AA couldn't fix it and couldn't really access where the problem was.
It will be back with Danbury on Monday morning. They have said they will fix it there and then.
I've now got to find time to get a train down and then drive it back. Huge expense. Nightmare.

Very unhappy.

Also when the AA lifted the front carpet up to look around near the clutch pedal, it was all wet. Is that normal?

Sorry to hear your problems, the water may just be rain that has either come up thru holes for pedals whilst driving or rain that creeps in around door seals, we get this occasionally.
Unfortunately, like us you are realising the problems of owning a Kombi, I know they are expensive, however, unlike the advertising, they are not built to modern build quality standards, but you just have to love them!
As to expense of collecting van I personally would discuss this with Danbury, I'm sure given the age of Norman, and problems so far you could come to an arrangement.

Is it raining with you today? Water can get in via the wiper arm seals.

Maybe Danbury could deliver your Kombi back to you, having sorted the clutch and air lock ...

That would be good if they could.

Yes, it has been raining heavily ((

Well, I have recently changed my clutch cable. I used a cable 3200mm, an early lhd cable and I found it to be about 10mm too short.

OK, this might just be my unlucky streak, but I ended up using the Danbury extension piece to finish it off.

I would suggest getting a new nut at the same time, and when you come to fit the new cable, remove the last segment of outer cable and clean it. First of all I found the new cable wouldn't go through, then I found that bits of wire from the old cable were still there, so I cleaned it out with spare wire then a draw cord. I was horrified with the crud that came out. I then packed grease into the tube refitted into place and fed the inner new cable through. After it was in place I sealed the exposed end with yet more grease.

The clutch cable feels so much softer now and much lighter.

Where's the towing point?

I have my tow bar at the back. Will he use that????