Technical Gears locking in first and reverse!

[Blue Bubble]

Hey folks.
I have a 2009 fiat 500. When I am stuck in slow moving traffic and constantly using clutch control, my gears lock in first. The only way to get it back out is by taking my foot off the clutch and back on again. So if traffic moves faster that's OK, if not I have to turn the engine off and start it again.
Also, it's worth noting, that when locked in first gear, I can have the clutch fully down, but as soon as I take my foot off the break, the car starts moving! This doesn't happen any other time, only when it's locked in.
I sometimes have the same issues with it locking in reverse.
I've been told by a clutch specialist and by my garage that the clutch is fine. I have also had a new slave cylinder fitted.
If you've made it this far, thanks for sticking with it
Any help much appreciated, as I would like to go to the garage armed with some knowledge as to what it might be, otherwise a new car may be in the cards

 

[portland_bill]

The clutch is still partially engaged when the pedal is fully depressed. This can happen when the clutch is worn, but should be consistent.
With this happening only when moving in slow traffic, where the clutch is being used all the time, this suggests that the hydraulics are gently releasing. With a recent new slave cylinder, that should be ok, however, my experience is that the master cylinder and slave have a similar lifespan. Both are originally plastic bodied, and behave differently when worn than metal bodied ones. The master cylinder leaks internally, allowing fluid back into the reservoir, gently releasing the clutch.
They also tend to squeak. Does yours squeak when the pedal is pushed?
A master cylinder is expensive, sadly, but there are aftermarket ones made of metal, that hopefully should last longer. Quick and easy to change, so at least labour should be acceptable.

 

[Blue Bubble]

The clutch is still partially engaged when the pedal is fully depressed. This can happen when the clutch is worn, but should be consistent.
With this happening only when moving in slow traffic, where the clutch is being used all the time, this suggests that the hydraulics are gently releasing. With a recent new slave cylinder, that should be ok, however, my experience is that the master cylinder and slave have a similar lifespan. Both are originally plastic bodied, and behave differently when worn than metal bodied ones. The master cylinder leaks internally, allowing fluid back into the reservoir, gently releasing the clutch.
They also tend to squeak. Does yours squeak when the pedal is pushed?
A master cylinder is expensive, sadly, but there are aftermarket ones made of metal, that hopefully should last longer. Quick and easy to change, so at least labour should be acceptable.

Thank you for your reply, I will look into what you have suggested.
The pedal did squeak when pushed, but since I had the new slave cylinder fitted it no longer does this.

 

[John202020]

Might be a silly question, but just how long do you keep the pedal pressed when this happens? Are we talking say more than 10 seconds?

 

[Blue Bubble]

Might be a silly question, but just how long do you keep the pedal pressed when this happens? Are we talking say more than 10 seconds?

Thanks for your reply. Yeah I guess more than 10 sec. I mean using clutch control, crawling along - but then when stopped waiting to move again my pedal can, at times be down longer than 10 secs.
This doesn't happen during 'normal' driving conditions though - like being stopped at the traffic lights and being pressed for more than 10 secs

 

[John202020]

Thanks, I suspect a small bypass leak, when the pedal is pressed for some time, it won't affect it when changing normally, but in slow traffic it will, try, in really slow traffic only creep as much as needed, once stopped regardless of if only a few seconds take out of gear foot off clutch, or let the gap increase in front of you so you move more then stop again taking out of gear foot off clutch as much as possible, think you'll find things much improved ? A new master cylinder maybe the fix it's also worth checking the pipe connection under the passenger wing area, its known to corrode and leak, this maybe starting signs ?
When stopped your foot should not be on the clutch for any length of time, if only to preserved the clutch bearing?