Why does my Jeep clutch not let go?
It seems as though the clutch is not quite letting go when you depress the pedal. The five seconds gives it enough time to spin down. The fact that you can drive the Jeep without issue tells me the clutch itself is in at least serviceable condition. Signs of clutch failure usually display themselves with the clutch slipping.
When do you depress the clutch does the car pull?
When the car is not moving, and I depress the clutch and rev the engine like crazy, the car does not pull (in other words, it does appear that the clutch fully disengages from the engine). Since my hydraulic fluid levels are fine are these the symptoms of a bad clutch (e.g. broken pressure plate)?
What kind of clutch does a 2003 Wrangler TJ have?
I have, to a T, the exact issues the original poster describes on a 2003 Wrangler TJ which clutch and transmission wise is very similar to a 1998 Cherokee. I had a brand new clutch, flywheel, throwout bearing, pressure plate, clutch arm spring and slave/master cylinder installed a few weeks ago.
Why is the soft clutch pedal not working?
The inoperative clutch and soft clutch pedal could be, a faulty clutch master cylinder and/or a faulty clutch slave cylinder. Proper diagnoses should be performed to avoid unnecessary repairs. The brake fluid leak at the left rear wheel is a separate issue. The clutch hydraulic system and brake hydraulic system are two different hydraulic systems.
It seems as though the clutch is not quite letting go when you depress the pedal. The five seconds gives it enough time to spin down. The fact that you can drive the Jeep without issue tells me the clutch itself is in at least serviceable condition. Signs of clutch failure usually display themselves with the clutch slipping.
When the car is not moving, and I depress the clutch and rev the engine like crazy, the car does not pull (in other words, it does appear that the clutch fully disengages from the engine). Since my hydraulic fluid levels are fine are these the symptoms of a bad clutch (e.g. broken pressure plate)?
I have, to a T, the exact issues the original poster describes on a 2003 Wrangler TJ which clutch and transmission wise is very similar to a 1998 Cherokee. I had a brand new clutch, flywheel, throwout bearing, pressure plate, clutch arm spring and slave/master cylinder installed a few weeks ago.
How does the clutch work on a wrangler?
When the slave cylinder pushes the clutch lever, the lever pushes against the throw-out bearing inside the transmission. The throw-out bearing then pushes against the pressure plate. The pressure plate pushes against the clutch plate, opening the clutch and allowing the Wrangler to shift.