How do you tell if it is a clutch cable and not a clutch that is broken on a VW jetta?

I have a 2000 VW Jetta that recently had the clutch go. When I depress it it goes straight to the floor and I cannot shift out of the gear I'm in or start when its not in neutral. My dad thinks it may be the clutch cable and not the clutch. How do you tell which is the issue?|||When a clutch goes out, the engine rpms increase faster then speed (slipping).


When a clutch release mechanism fails the car has difficulty shifting except when the engine is off.


But the Jetta does not have a cable, it has a hydraulic clutch system. So check the smaller reservoir under the hood and make sure it is full. More then likely it is not. Fill it up and see if the system pumps up. If it goes to the floor after you try to pump it up, look for a bad line in the system. Try bleeding the system. If it still does not work suspect the Master cylinder, if it pumps up and fails to stay that way then suspect the slave cylinder. Before replacing either the master or slave, make sure that the rubber hose between the chassis and the slave is intact. These do rupture. This hose is more then likely the same one used on the brake system.


None of these parts is internal the transmission or bell housing and are all easily replaced.