"Push Clutch To Start" Bypass Harness

[george_messano]

Hi guys. I have been told to post on here regarding a product I am developing, which basically stops you having to press the clutch to start the engine.

I have already developed a similar product for the Mk5/6 VW Golf VAG platform ( it also works on Audi 8P A3/S3, Audi 8J TT/TTS/TTRS, VW Golf mk5+6, VW Scirocco mk3, VW EOS, VW Passat B6, Seat 1P Leon/Leon Cupra/Leon Cupra R, Leon K1 etc), which has taken off REALLY well. I have been selling them since August 2016, and have sold in excess of 220 of them! It was developed on these cars, because the thrust washers between the crank and block are a weak point, and pressing the clutch to start the engine causes premature wear, which can result in a replacement engine being needed.

Now, whilst this particular harness won't work on the B8/8.5, I am 99.999% sure I can make the same product to fit, its just a case of using the correct connectors, and adapting the technology to suit.

What I want to know is, is it something you guys would be interested in? If there's no market, I won't bother with the R&D into it. I'm hoping there is a market though, because from what the person who suggested I write on here said, there is a known problem with the clutch master cylinder failing, which requires a new clutch to be fitted (I think!). Price wise, I should be able to make them for the same £22 UK posted/£30 internationally posted as my existing setup.

I have included pictures of the harness I currently make, although bear in mind the B8/8.5 version will be slightly different due to the connectors not being the same. I have also included some of the feedback sales on ebay (although bear in mind the majority of my sales are through Facebook groups).

I am aware 3zero3 are making a similar product, but as far as I can see, you still have to press the clutch with their product, whereas mine totally removes the need. Like I say, I have been making these since mid 2016, so although I know people are going to potentially say I am copying their product, I don't think this is the case. I have the parts for the prototype sat next to me on my desk, ready to be fitted to a vehicle in the next day or so, so its not like I've taken one of their's apart and ripped it off.


Look forward to hearing your views :)

[KILLzombi3z]

I'd like to see you make these for our platform. Would buy.

[Marko S]

I think this is pretty cool. I would definitely be interested. How do you turn on acc though?

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[m332is]

I would buy one - I want to use a clutch stop to remove the excess clutch travel but I am limited by the starter cut out. Please develop this harness!

Vince

[george_messano]

How do you turn on acc though?

Assuming you mean the accessory position on the key switch, that should still work as normal. All the harness does is make the starter interlock circuit think the clutch is pressed, nothing else will change. If you have to press the clutch for the acc to turn on, then it will just work without having to actually press the clutch.

[Marko S]

Assuming you mean the accessory position on the key switch, that should still work as normal. All the harness does is make the starter interlock circuit think the clutch is pressed, nothing else will change. If you have to press the clutch for the acc to turn on, then it will just work without having to actually press the clutch.

In my car, to turn on accessory you push the button without pressing the clutch.

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[m332is]

will you alert us when you make these?

Vince

[bakedziti]

In my car, to turn on accessory you push the button without pressing the clutch.

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+1

[george_messano]

will you alert us when you make these?

Vince

I certainly will, yes.
Providing my volunteer can fit it before the weekend and report back a success, I should be able to get a batch made and get them posted out next week

[george_messano]

In my car, to turn on accessory you push the button without pressing the clutch.

Ok, interesting.

There is a small chance that will no longer work then. However, like I say, there are 3 circuits to the clutch switch. Hopefully 1 is purely for the starting of the engine, and 1 of the remaining 2 circuits is in control of the acc. Until the test one is installed I couldn't say for sure.

That might potentially be a small pay off. After all, how often do you use just acc?

[george_messano]

Having looked into this a bit more, and doing more research, I'm not convinced its going to work how my existing harness does. The B8 ECU is more intelligent than these ECU's..

It seems the B8 ecu checks the clutch switch circuits, and checks they are pressed in a logical order (ie. 1-2-3). The way I was planning to do it (and as it is on the Mk5/6 Golf/Audi 8P etc) switch 3 would be constantly activated, so the ecu would see the order as 3-1-2...which will throw an EML because it's not what the ECU is expecting to see. This explains why the 3zero3 one needs the clutch to be semi-pressed still, because they use the signal from switch 2 to trigger switch 3, but with a slight delay...which keeps the ecu happy.

I will carry on looking into a solution though. Bit gutted, thought I was onto a winner there! At least it was figured out now rather than when loads were released!

[m332is]

Even semi depressed would allow for the use of a "clutch stop" to reduce clutch travel. Currently, the clutch pedal needs to be almost fully depressed - even requiring 3/4 of the way would be a good solution for what I need.

[Zach L]

Since I let my GF/friends drive my car on occassion, I won't be installing one of these lol. Last thing I want is my car to be parked in gear and end up taping the garage wall or another car's bumper. I trust myself, just not other people.

Nice product though and GLWS!

[m332is]

I'm telling you a mod that allowed the car to start when the clutch is partially depressed would be great. If you notice, the last 25-30% of your pedal travel does nothing. After the clutch is fully disengaged there is still further pedal travel (with what I believe is an eccentric type offset) that just allows it to require less pressure on your leg to hold the clutch down. On all my BMWs, I was able to add a clutch stop against the firewall which would reduce the pedal travel (many BMW vendors sold them). My mechanic and I have built one for the Audi, but it only reduces the pedal travel a small amount as the cutoff switch kicks in much lower (closer to the firewall) than a BMW.

The best of both worlds would be a way to allow the car to start when the pedal is say 2/3-3/4 depressed (what ever is far enough so the clutch is disengaged.

Trust me there is a market for this electrical fix as clutch stops would sell to MT B8 A4 market.

[m332is]

any update?

[m332is]

still extremely interested... any update on partial depressed clutch switch fix?

[Marko S]

Have you read through the thread?

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[m332is]

Have you read through the thread?

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If you are referring to me, yes, I have read through the thread and have been participating all along.

If you have a MT6, and think the clutch travel is too long, the only thing stopping the use of an aftermarket clutch stop is the "press to start" cutoff circuit. That's why a partial depress to start would be a great solution.

[Marko S]

If you are referring to me, yes, I have read through the thread and have been participating all along.

If you have a MT6, and think the clutch travel is too long, the only thing stopping the use of an aftermarket clutch stop is the "press to start" cutoff circuit. That's why a partial depress to start would be a great solution.

OP said he would be canning the project but i see what you mean. Honestly this b8 is my second car and my e36 318ti had a deep clutch. Ive driven a couple other manual cars (my boys civic si was the worst) and i absolutely hate the shallow clutches. I like the b8 clutch

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