Clutch switch for ignition???

[gointoscott]

Hey I've been having a minor problem and I have a good idea what the problem is but looking for some info.

When I go to start the car sometimes (it is a 6 spd manual) I turn the key and you have to push clutch in so engine turns over. Well sometimes the car wont turn over.

It acts like I didnt push clutch in and does nothing. If I let clutch out and push back in then the engine will start turning over and car will start.

Usually I just need to either let clutch out and push it back in, or if I turn key to off and then try starting it again it will work.

Now I know there is a safety type switch on the clutch to prevent you from just turning the key and starting so you dont jolt forward if car is in gear.

So I'm guessing this safety switch might be loose, faulty or sticky and isnt popping out when you push the clutch in.

Has anyone had issue with this switch? Also I want to say that my cruise works perfect and thought there must be two switches on clutch one for cruise and one for ignition cut out so it doesnt turn over if clutch not pushed in. (Or there is one switch that works as both but maybe that isnt the case) Judging by problem I'm thinking there must be two switches.

if you have had a simular problem or have seen it, how much is switch? Where exactly is it located? Hard to replace?

I tried looking for a few minutes last night but couldnt see much because of plastic insulation cover hiding everything under dash. I will take that off tonight and look closer.

Thoughts?

[KNaudi]

there is an actual plunger down there that gets depressed when you put the clutch to the ground. You can fool the car into thinking its always down. This can throw a soft code (aka won't throw a CEL) but it over-rides the whole "put the clutch down to start the car" need.

Be advised it does defeat a safety feature though.

There are 2 ways to do this. Zip tie the actual plunger down or rewire the unit to bypass the plunger.

[s4andtls]

I remember last year mine acted up like that for 9 months or so and after replacing it I've never had a problem. So in my case it was a intermittent problem and not just a fail/work scenario.

[gointoscott]

Mine is intermitant too. I'm going to look at the plunger and see what I can find.

It does how ever seem to be getting worse where I have to play with it more before it will get started.

[8520]

There are two switches at the top of your clutch, one for the cruise control and the other for the start mechanism.

The one you'll want to bypass is the top one if I remember correctly. The easiest way to do it is to strip both wires, twist them together, wrap them in electrical tape and then put a zip tie around it tightly.

Obviously, your car will start in gear now, so be cautious.

[KNaudi]

There are two switches at the top of your clutch, one for the cruise control and the other for the start mechanism.

The one you'll want to bypass is the top one if I remember correctly. The easiest way to do it is to strip both wires, twist them together, wrap them in electrical tape and then put a zip tie around it tightly.

Obviously, your car will start in gear now, so be cautious.

this is the way I've done it in the past and, IMO, the better way to do it.

[gointoscott]

That makes sense you can hotwire and bypass the switch but I guess I have better piece of mind for my front and rear bumpers if I leave it in there. (for when my wify drives the car.)

Anyway does anyone know the part number for the switch and what it actually is called? (MHolme this is where you post with part number and picture of the part)

I still want to check it to make sure its really defective or if it is loose or sticky and just needs to be played with a little. I am thinking it is just getting wore out though.


Thanks for all the replies though.

Scott

[gointoscott]

I wanted to update this thread. I believe I fixed the problem today finally. Well I didnt do anything about it until today when I changed oil and figured I should take some time instead of have to fidget with trying keep pushing in clutch and messing with key when it wouldnt start.

I took off the kick pannel (3 - 8 mm screws I believe)



I then had nice view to the clutch, brake and gas pedals and saw that there are 1 cruise control switch for each brake and clutch (which is what I thought) Then I found the clutch safety switch as shown below by arrow and also you see the plug in for it behind one of the cruise witches (actually one end is behind it, the other is in front of it - I had it unplugged in this picture)



Here is a close up of clutch safetly switch




here is close up of clutch safety switch plugin (this is when it was plugged together)



I saw the switch was fastened tight so figured it was just wearing out so decided right now easiest way to fix this is hot wire it. So I unplugged toe electrical connetor and put a paperclip in the connection so it hotwired them together as shown below



Since doing this the car has started flawlessly. But then again its only been a few hours. So I'm going to leave it like this for a little while to make sure I dont see the problem anymore. But I am confident this is what was causing my problem.

I hear others have had this too so hope this helps.

Now I dont plan to keep this permanently this way because it does allow the possibility of turning key and lunging forward if in gear and clutch not pressed in. What I plan to do now is leave car in neutral and have e brake on and just get in habit of leaving car parked like that so I dont have to worry about forgetting or having problems.

If anyone knows this part number that would be great. Just so I can price out what this switch costs or what the real name for the switch is.

Thanks

Please forgive my grammar and spelling its almost 1am and I am tired. :)

[KNaudi]

thanks for the pictures. I've done this in the past and have struggled to explain what people should look for because I never took pictures. Looks pretty much exactly the same as to what I did.

[lukeag25]

Clutch Pedal Position switch, F194 (If I recall). The bracket the switch is sitting on is adjustable, sometimes the switch isn't being depressed all the way.

[madman1234509]

try adjusting the bracket as said above. I had this problem for about 7 months with my car and decided id finally try to fix it. Ordered the switch from ecstuning, but when i got up under it to check it out i adjusted it and it never happened again. So try adjusting it first, if it doesnt work I have the switch brand new from ecs that i never put on my car, just pay for shipping and you can have it. Its most likely the exact same thing as your model cars switch, seems like a pretty generic part. Pm me if you want it

[RedRocketS4]

what about instead of just hotwiring it, put a small Single Pull/Single Throw switch hidden somehwere. maybe a push button or toggle switch.

a push button momentary switch would be cool, so you actually have to be pushing the switch while tuning the key to start. basically the same idea of the stock clutch switch, but you use your finger to hold the button istead of your foot. maybe something like this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062545

[xuandatou]

I wanted to update this thread. I believe I fixed the problem today finally. Well I didnt do anything about it until today when I changed oil and figured I should take some time instead of have to fidget with trying keep pushing in clutch and messing with key when it wouldnt start.

I took off the kick pannel (3 - 8 mm screws I believe)



I then had nice view to the clutch, brake and gas pedals and saw that there are 1 cruise control switch for each brake and clutch (which is what I thought) Then I found the clutch safety switch as shown below by arrow and also you see the plug in for it behind one of the cruise witches (actually one end is behind it, the other is in front of it - I had it unplugged in this picture)



Here is a close up of clutch safetly switch




here is close up of clutch safety switch plugin (this is when it was plugged together)



I saw the switch was fastened tight so figured it was just wearing out so decided right now easiest way to fix this is hot wire it. So I unplugged toe electrical connetor and put a paperclip in the connection so it hotwired them together as shown below



Since doing this the car has started flawlessly. But then again its only been a few hours. So I'm going to leave it like this for a little while to make sure I dont see the problem anymore. But I am confident this is what was causing my problem.

I hear others have had this too so hope this helps.

Now I dont plan to keep this permanently this way because it does allow the possibility of turning key and lunging forward if in gear and clutch not pressed in. What I plan to do now is leave car in neutral and have e brake on and just get in habit of leaving car parked like that so I dont have to worry about forgetting or having problems.

If anyone knows this part number that would be great. Just so I can price out what this switch costs or what the real name for the switch is.

Thanks

Please forgive my grammar and spelling its almost 1am and I am tired. :)

Nice DIY !

So how long did it take you for the whole thing ? 30 mins ?

[getslideways]

Nice DIY !

So how long did it take you for the whole thing ? 30 mins ?

That guy hasn't even so much as logged into the forum in 3 years. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for him to respond.

gointoscott
Veteran Member
Four Rings
Join Date 01-26-2006
Last Activity 10-25-2011 06:19 AM

[JKnight41]

This is the DIY I was talking about. I would say you should give this a try. Just unbolting the knee bolster and putting a paperclip in the plug should only take you like 15 minutes at the very most

[xuandatou]

That guy hasn't even so much as logged into the forum in 3 years. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for him to respond.

gointoscott
Veteran Member
Four Rings
Join Date 01-26-2006
Last Activity 10-25-2011 06:19 AM

haha

[xuandatou]

This is the DIY I was talking about. I would say you should give this a try. Just unbolting the knee bolster and putting a paperclip in the plug should only take you like 15 minutes at the very most

Thank you !

So you would recommend just use the paperclip to stable the wires together (bypass the switch)?

[JKnight41]

Yes, as a temporary fix, if it works, then you know that it is the faulty switch. Then find the part number for the new one. Or try adjusting the plunger as stated above

[zillarob]

I usually just unplug the connector down there and pop one of the mini blade fuses in it.

[xuandatou]

I usually just unplug the connector down there and pop one of the mini blade fuses in it.

So now you can start the engine without pressing the clutch pedal (eg. the passenger can start the engine as well by simply turning the key?)

[zillarob]

Yup.
Be careful, there is a reason they put it there.
People die every year because "I thought it was in neutral".

[xuandatou]

Yup.
Be careful, there is a reason they put it there.
People die every year because "I thought it was in neutral".

Thank you ! I will get it a try !

[sgudino]

Xuandatou, I am having the same issue. I am out of state right now but I will try the switch position first and then the part. Have you done it yet?

[xuandatou]

Xuandatou, I am having the same issue. I am out of state right now but I will try the switch position first and then the part. Have you done it yet?

I haven't get a chance to try it out yet, but I think it will be done by this weekend and I will definitely let you know how it works

[Audimilo]

Just adjusted my Clutch Pedal Position switch, F194 - to accommodate for my new clutch and pressure plate setup, which doesn't require stomping the pedal to the floor any longer to activate the switch. was tight getting in there but worth it. thanks Zillarob for suggesting this.

[james 408]

1) i've had 2 of these go bad and had to replace them
2) i've had an issue where it wasn't aligned properly, and when i would shift the throttle body wouldn't shut and the rpms would climb a bit extra between shifts. this was a surprise result.