Q: Car will not shift into gear - 2007 Mini Cooper

asked by on October 21, 2016

when i step on the clutch,it goes all the way down and i cannot shift into gear.

My car has 97000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Clutch Slave Cylinder Replacement $154.22 - $514.38 Get a Quote

Hi. There are a couple of reasons for this problem. One is that the clutch master cylinder has gone bad and will not engage the clutch when you are pressing on the clutch pedal. Another possible cause of this problem is that the clutch itself has gone bad completely and will not allow the car to shift at all.

You could also have a problem with the clutch slave cylinder. When the slave cylinder is bad, it will make the car have difficulty going into gear or not go into gear at all. I recommend having a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic replace the slave cylinder and the master cylinder first before changing the clutch.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

My steering wheel is shaking
Just because the wheel has weights attached to it doesn't mean it is balanced correctly. My guess is that the wheels/tires are out of balance. However, the problem could also be worn steering/suspension parts or tires (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brakes-steering-and-suspension-inspection). A bent rim...
Truck every once in awhile will hesitate when hit brakes real quick and get back on gas
When you hit the brakes real quick, this means you closed the throttle real quick. When this happens you may have excessive fuel in the engine and the computer shut off the injectors. When you open the throttle back up,...
Intermittent problem with car not starting and not cranking
Hello. This is caused by a loss of voltage someplace in the electrical system. Most of the time this is caused by a bad connection at the battery or a bad battery cable (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-cable-replacement). I usually check and clean these...
I put in a new starter and battery and my Jeep will not start. Please help me get my Jeep to start.
Hi there. Check to see if the wiring to the battery and the starter are tight and clean. A bad connection will cause a no start situation. If the battery cables (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/service-battery-cables) and wires are all tight and clean, then...
My car has done 37,500 miles service but it only has 33,300 miles, what kind of maintenance do I need?
The maintenance reminder system (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/reset-maintenance-reminder-system) is not strictly mileage based. If 12 months elapse, without an intervening re-set, the light will come on simply because the engine oil should be changed at 12 months even if the 7,500 mileage interval...
Possible problem with alternator
Hello. You are correct, the next step is to remove and test, or just go ahead and replace the alternator. Replacement aftermarket alternators for the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am cover years 2000-2003. So reasonably you can conclude that the alternator...
The Radio stays on when the car is off
Hi there: Accessories are powered by the battery until the vehicle is started, when the alternator takes over. If the radio is staying on after removing the key, it's receiving a constant supply of battery power due to a faulty...
clutch not working correctly
Hello there, many common faults will cause issues with the clutch on your 1998 Chevrolet S10. If the clutch line is continually disconnecting there are a few common faults. The most likely is a failing slave cylinder, air in the...
Most of my lights on the dashboard besides engine light are lit up and also there is a little moisture around the transfer case and oil plug.
The dash lights could be on for a loose or broken ground wire to the chassis. Check all of the ground wires on the chassis and make sure that they are tight and clean. The moisture on the transfer case...

Related articles

How Long Does Clutch Fluid Last?
The The usual answer to this is, forever. Of course, as is the case with many hard and fast answers, there are always exceptions. The reason that your car clutch fluid should last forever is that it’s a closed system....
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster
The The Mini Cooper Roadster was made in conjunction with the Mini Coupe, but went on sale four months prior to the Coupe. It is the sixth Mini version since 2001 when BMW revived the brand. The Roadster is a...
How to Replace a Clutch Switch
A clutch switch failure means that your vehicle will not be able to start. The contacts within the switch or the wiring may be corroded.