Normal Operation

The manual transaxle is controlled by a floor-mounted gearshift lever located in the floor console. Connection between the floor-mounted gearshift lever and the manual transaxle shift control lever assembly is made through 2 gearshift cables.

When the operator moves the floor-mounted gearshift lever, that movement is transmitted through 2 gearshift cables routed through the body to the transaxle. The 2 gearshift cables are attached to the transaxle at the transaxle shift control lever assembly. The transaxle shift control lever assembly transfers the movement of the gearshift cables to the shift rods and shift forks located inside the transaxle.

The clutch is designed to transfer the power from the engine to the transmission, which may be either stationary (starting) or rotating at a different speed (upshifting or downshifting). The clutch is functioning correctly when both the engine and transmission are rotating at the same speed with the clutch engaged. Clutch pedal movement is transmitted by hydraulic fluid pressure, which actuates the clutch release hub and bearing. The clutch release hub and bearing pushes on the spring center towards the flywheel. The diaphragm spring pivots at the fulcrum, relieving the load on the clutch pressure plate. Steel spring straps riveted in the clutch pressure plate cover pull the clutch pressure plate from the clutch disc, disengaging the engine torque from the transmission.

This pinpoint test is intended to diagnose the following: 

• Internal transaxle components
• Clutch pedal
• Clutch slave cylinder
• Clutch pressure plate
• Clutch disc