Nah, its not the clutch at all. The shift shaft springs are good because the shift lever returns from either up or down. I know the plates can stick and make it jerk an stall or jump, but it just doesnt go into gear at all not 1st or second. BUt when I took it out the first time it worked fine. And the second time it didnt, but I took the cover off and everything worked again turning the tires, then all together,... nothing. I think somehow its not moving the star, but I dont understand why it would then not then would then not.