Transmission can't get out of neutral when engine on

[EndLeSS8]

I did a search, but nothing exactly came up unfortunately.

S14 5spd KA24DE.
It normally grinds a bit when going into reverse, unless I go into 4th then reverse. Then it goes into reverse fine.
Drove to gas station today, car had difficulty going into 1st gear when I got to the gas station. When I went into reverse to back up into the gas pump, it made a CLUNK noise that was pretty loud. It was from the rear of the car, sounded like near the differential area. Reversed again, did the clunk noise again.

Drove home, car was ok, didn't have issues.
When I parked the car (engine was still running) I shifted normally when the car was parked, and there was no issues.

Called my mechanic, told me to start the car and shift.
I went back to my car, it shifted normally with the engine off, clutch in.
Clutch pedal seemed much lower than normal, about 2 inches from the floor.

Started the car, tried to shift.
Gears #1-5 were impossible to shift into. Transmission would grind when it was in reverse.
Checked the clutch fluid, it was still there in the master, no leaks there.

Any thoughts on the problem? I think it's clutch related, but I don't know what exactly.
Going to have it towed to my mechanic tomorrow, but having some diagnosis would save time and money.
Brand new clutch master cylinder installed 2 days ago, so I don't think that's it. I was stupid and didn't get a new slave cylinder though.

Any thoughts and help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

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ok, turn off your car put it in gear then turn it on. make sure that there's nothing in front of you, if it advances when you still have the clutch in then it's something with the throwout bearing not releasing the clutch correctly. it is pretty much clutch related.

[EndLeSS8]

I got it towed to the shop today, and they rebled the lines, but even before they did that, they didn't have any issues. The car was fine going in reverse and forward, but the clutch pedal was low. They readjusted the pedal to be higher, but they didn't have any issues.

It's like what you said, it is a clutch issue. The clunking noise was from the clutch not disengaging properly, they told me. Apart from that, they weren't sure what was causing the problems.
Any more thoughts? Throwout bearing?

[MisawaJason]

look under your dash. I had an issue with my car where a mounting tab that the clutch pedal bracket bolts to broke off from a beam that runs all the way across the car under the dash. The clutch would barely engage/disengage all the way at the floor. I had to have a friend drill the bracket and bolt it up to another hole. It fixed it. I hope my explanation didn't confuse you

[EndLeSS8]

Oh that issue - I had something similar to that from my previous S14. For my previous one, the U-shaped fork connecting the clutch pedal to the master cylinder broke. The first thing I did was to buy a new master cylinder and JBwelded it on the ends.
That issue you had is different, because both my master+slave cylinders aren't leaking.

When I drove home today, it was totally fine. Mechanic told me to keep an eye on it, and if it starts grinding or clunking again, to give him a call. The mechanic said it might be the clutch springs are dying, but he wants to take out the clutch as a last resort, cuz it's $$$

[nismo racer]

What clutch set up are you runnin? I've experienced and read times the sprung cultches come unsprung and die. If you turn it on while it's in gear and it lurches forward it's has to be your clutch. Does itstay engaged when you have your foot down on the clutch pedal?

[nismo racer]

Just read what you said, just take off the tranny yourself! It only takes like 1 and 30 mins tops. Save yourself money and check it yourself if it's the clutch

[EndLeSS8]

Unfortunately I don't have jackstands or anything. I just got the car less than a week ago.

[Itzda180sx]

Hey endless, I have the same problem of it being impossible to go into any gear and grinding on reverse. I was wondering if you were able to resolv that issue. Thanks

[mad-ass]

how's the fluid level on the clutch master cylinder reservoir?

if it gets lower every time you drive the car, then you have a leak some where. just check for leaks and get rid of the the clutch dampener system and run a line straight from hard line to clutch slave.

[Itzda180sx]

My fluid levels are fine. It seems to go into gear once the car seem to warm up then after that it drives perfectly fine. Also when I put the car in gear while it is off, then turn the car on it does jump forward while I'm still holding the clutch in and stalls out. Any ideas anyone? Thanks for any replies.

[Rut Ro]

Kind of sounds like a TOB issue or perhaps the fingers on your pressure plate aren't aligned properly. Once warmed up, they are able to flex more due to not being so stiff.

[Itzda180sx]

I'm sorry what do u mean TOB?

[RedTopKA-T]

TOB = Throw Out Bearing ...