Car Won't Get Into Gear When Ignition is On

More likely the clutch is not disengaging when you depress the pedal, IMHO. E.g. cable broke or fluid leak etc, depending on type of actuation. Though you would expect it to feel different i.e. much lighter to depress (springs not being compressed) Does it?

Codey

I don't think just water would cause them to stick together. Before going any farther have a friend operate the clutch and visually see if it is operating the arm which moves the throw out bearing. Should be an arm sticking out of the bell housing which is attached to the engine. I would say the back of the engine but as I do not know what vehicle do to lack of information. If it's small car could be on the left or right side as the engine sets sideways. It will have a cable connected to it or a small slave cylinder with push rod. See it it moves the arm.

There is a chance the clutch friction material if overheated enough times and lost it's concistency would 'swell' absorbing available fluids. Used to be a clutch killer too (lol). S.M.

Build a small fire, directly under the bell housing, and let it smolder for a day. That should dry it out.

I have to go along with the water induced swelling of the friction material.

Slip it neutral, back it out of the parking space. Get 'em pointed in a safe direction then, slip it into 1st gear. Now, have three friends push you at the same time as you start the motor. Although it won't matter, you'll need to depress the clutch pedal to disengaged the safey interlock. The car should start off on its own power. Just drive it around in low gear for awhile and dry it out.

Try the clutch pedal from time to time. Sooner or later, it will unstick or you will run out of gas.

If this proves to be the problem root, I think leaving the engine to idle for half an hour or so, engine compartment heat and centrifugal would unblock the clutch. S.M.

Yes,Water do let the clutch plate stick to the flywheel and/or the clutch plate splined hub got rusted on to the shaft. Tow the car to a open road; Start the car as Lyn said; Keep the clutch pedal depressed while you speed up; With the clutch still depressed.....brake hard. It will get unstuck.

Jurie sa