SOunds suspicious. Pressure plates usually don't go by not working, they
usually make lots of noise/shaking/annoyance, or slip.
Quick test: When you push on the clutch pedal, do you feel resistance, or
does it go to the floor? Going to the floor is a sign of a bad hydraulic
system. Also, you can check for (a) fluid under the car after pumping
the clutch, (b) empty clutch master cylinder (right above clutch pedal in
engine compartment). If it just goes to the floor, or if you have (a) or
(b), it's hydraulic almost certainly.
If it is hydraulic, it's not hard to fix - start by finding the leak, and
then rebuild the leaking piece - most likely the slave cylinder. It's in
a real annoying place to get to (under the center of the car), but it's
not hard to do.
Randell Jesup, Commodore Engineering {uunet|rutgers|allegra}!cbmvax!jesup
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