I just purchased a used 93 Volvo 850 GLT with a little over 100K miles. The previous owner said the clutch was recently replaced as well as the transmission rebuilt.

The clutch engagement point is almost on the floor. I think it is the floor, actually. Even when fully depressed to the floor, the shifter is difficult to engage into gear especially first, then lesser difficulty with second and third gear, etc.

Also, the cruise control doesn't work which, the owner, claimed stopped working after the clutch work. What steps do i take to trouble shoot the cc?

Thanks.

Thanks for the input. I determined that the cruise control was not working because the switch (plunger type) that attached to the bracket on the pedal below the dash was broken. The clip that holds the switch against the pedal had 2 broken tabs so the cc always thought the clutch was engaged and therefore would not function. I bound the switch plunger with tape and test drove the car, sure enough, it's works. Now, I just need a new cc switch.

Before investigating under the dash, I checked the pump and vacuum lines under the battery tray. All appeared intact. However, there are 2 Tee's on the pump. The bottom tee had one opening with no tubing on it. I assume this is normal considering I got the cc to work after fiddling around under the dash.

While under the dash, I investigated the clutch pedal to see if I could adjust it. I put the spring back on, which I took off last week, and now it works better. The clutch engagement point is about 2 inches from the floor now rather than on the floor. I took the spring off last week because I didn't like the feel of the clutch spring rate. It was tough to depress, then got easier while pressing further (max spring extension), then engaged the clutch release point. It just seemed akward. I was comparing the clutch feel with that on my GT Mustang which has a constant clutch pedal pressure for the full-stroke. The engagement point on that car is about 1/4 to 1/3 the way down.

For 1998 model year there are a couple of technical service
bulletins that address this sort of thing that might help.
I do not know if they apply to your year. A dealer would have
to check that for you (or you culd subscribe to
http://www.alldatadiy.com and get the TSB info). Much of the
info is posted on this thread:

http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/?id=570427

A worn clutch would engage higher "on the pedal" rather than lower, so it is unlikely that you have a wear issue.

I would check the hydraulics. I don't know what spec there might be for the clutch slave cylinder "throw," but I'd have someone depress the clutch to the floor while you watched the clutch slave cylinder. Does it "throw" a reasonable amount (say 1.5")? When the pump the clutch pedal, does the ultimate "throw" increase? If they hold the pedal to the floor, does the "throw" maintain a solid position.

If your hydrualics appear okay, then the problem is in your clutch assembly. I just had the clutch done on my car with the exact symptoms you had. It turned out that the throwout bearing sleeve had broken and ended up destroying the clutch fork. You may have a similar problem, but I have to believe that any moron repacing a clutch should have seen something like this. More than likely they did something wrong on installation.

Doing something wrong on installation is confirmed by the fact that your cruise control is no longer working. They accidentally (probably) knocked off one of the hoses on the cruise control under the battery box and failed to put it back on.

1.Sounds to me like your clutch is not disengaging completely. Mine engages near the middle-top of the travel range but my '98 turbo has 140k on it. I've heard stories of shops that supposedly were competent but doing stuff like installing an Audi clutch backwards. Everyone has a "bad day" now and again, some have more than others.

2. The cruise control motor is under the battery tray and there is a piece of plastic vacuum tubing that gets disconnected.

You might want to take it back to the shop that did the clutch work or maybe the PO just threw in the towel and sold the car to you!

-Punx

My 93 850 w/ 100k engages at the top of the clutch stroke.
of course my clutch is getting ready to go