# Clutch won't shift unless I pump the pedal

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/clutch-wont-shift-unless-i-pump-the-pedal/38080>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** clutches\
**Created:** [October 14, 2009, 1:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clutch-wont-shift-unless-i-pump-the-pedal/38080 "2009-10-14T01:42:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kevin\_Taylor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Kevin\_Taylor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Kevin_Taylor)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clutch-wont-shift-unless-i-pump-the-pedal/38080/1 "2009-10-14T01:42:04Z")

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I have to pump the pedal several times to get my clutch to shift into the gears. It shifts fine for a little while after doing this. What is wrong with my car?

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**Author:** ![wizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a87d85/32.png) [@wizard](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wizard)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clutch-wont-shift-unless-i-pump-the-pedal/38080/2 "2009-10-14T01:44:57Z")

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Make, year and mileage would help very much.

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**Author:** ![EllyEllis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f14d63/32.png) [@EllyEllis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/EllyEllis)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clutch-wont-shift-unless-i-pump-the-pedal/38080/3 "2009-10-14T01:45:17Z")

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Probably low on clutch fluid in the clutch master cylinder.

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**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clutch-wont-shift-unless-i-pump-the-pedal/38080/4 "2009-10-14T01:47:15Z")

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Clutch Cylinder would be a good place to start.

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**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 3:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clutch-wont-shift-unless-i-pump-the-pedal/38080/5 "2009-10-14T03:17:01Z")

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If the clutch has a pump, then check the fluid level. If low add and find the leak. If not low then the cylinder/pump needs to be changed. What make/model.

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 12:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clutch-wont-shift-unless-i-pump-the-pedal/38080/6 "2009-10-14T12:36:02Z")

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If this mystery vehicle has a hydraulically-activated clutch, then you should check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder. If it is low, replenish the fluid, and begin looking for leaks.  
If the fluid level is normal, replace both the clutch master cylinder and the slave cylinder.