Is the car supposed to be able to start in neutral without pushing the clutch in? Is there anything else the clutch switch is used for?

 

No, if you want to start the car the clutch pedal has to be held down. If you want to bypass this system just connect the 2 wires that go into the switch.

 

Start interlock - That's it..

 

No. From my experience, which I just went through all this, is that you can't start the car in neutral without pushing in the clutch. At least, you aren't supposed to be able to.

If the car won't start either way, check that the switches are good. Just unplug them and put a jumper in. Or, go underneath the car near the starter and check that connection first, being it is actually easier in my view to get to.

My connection from the switch to the starter had gotten overly corroded and stopped my starter or selinoid from clicking because it was acting like the clutch wasn't pushed in. Cleaned the connection, and everything is better.

 

Thats the way I have mine rigged, works great.

 

Mine starts without using it, found that out by accident. So it won't affect anything else? (for example it doesn't doing anything to the idle when you push the clutch in?)

 

My friend did that too. I kind of like having the safety switch just in case the exhaust fumes cause me to forget that my car is in gear.

 

Nope, you should be fine.

 

I have run across some 86 and early 87 cars that did not have a switch. I have an 86 gxl in my driveway right now that I start w/o pushing the clutch.

 

Yeah my early 87 TII has always started without pushing in the clutch... I've never looked into WHY.. I don't really care!

Brian

87 TII
93 R1