Hey there, I just bought an 89 Honda accord for $500 on craigslist. It's got 330K miles and runs pretty good, just has a clutch problem.

It's got a cable type clutch as I'm sure you're aware. I had to drive it home without a clutch basically, start it in first and hope I time the lights right. Also I could barely rev it as the clutch was slipping like crazy.

Anyway I'm driving it today to DMV to register and I hear and feel these thud sounds and all of a sudden the clutch works better, I can actually use it (although it's still a bit difficult to pop into gear), and it's not slipping.

Just wondering what could be causing this to happen. I've examined the clutch cable briefly and it seems to be working okay. If it's something internal what could it be?

 

Don't know much about this problem, but my friend had the same problem with his '95 integra. The master cylinder for the clutch shrunk because of the cold we were experiencing, so when he tried to drive it, it was as if the clutch had gone out. So a few weeks later, he takes it to get it fixed and its fine because it had warmed up. I'd say check that out if you live in a fairly cold area.

 

The 89 has a cable where newer Hondas have a hydraulic clutch. Unfortunately I'm not much help with the cable system. Only cable clutches I've had are a couple VWs & an old Fiat.