SlithyTove

I had a couple of times recently in my 88 vert when I tried to start my car and absolutely nothing happened. I had plenty of power, but it doesn't even try to turn over. Come back the next day, works fine.

This is exactly what happens if I try to start the car without the clutch depressed so I suspect a flaky sensor. I could replace it I suppose, but I hate that sort of "electronic helper" and would prefer not to be held hostage on starting my car to a friggin sensor.

Has anyone disabled this "feature" before and what was involved?

I also have had a similar problem with the emergency brake sensor (needed for raising or lowering the roof. Grrrr.)

EndlessRPMs

you mean the clutch lock? if so, i know you can bypass it somehow, because a lot of remote starter kits require you to bypass it on a manual transmission

SlithyTove

I'm a little unsure what to call it. Or even what it physically is. A search on google for "clutch lock" gave me mostly responses about knives and orthopedic equipment.

I'm assuming there's some little electrical sensor somewhere which says yea or nay as to the clutch position.

Weather has been lousy for the past few days so I have't been able to look in depth yet.

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

It's a switch... plunger style. There should be two of them on the clutch pedal. This one's got a black with red stripe wire, if I remember correctly. Basically to bypass it you can cut the wires and splice them together. That's about all these is to it, but be damned sure to remember to press the clutch before starting the car!

EndlessRPMs

CLUTCH START SWITCH
Many vehicles incorporate a clutch start switch into the starting system. The clutch start switch is mounted on the clutch pedal assembly. The clutch start switch prevents the engine from cranking unless the clutch pedal is depressed fully. This serves as a safety device that keeps the engine from possibly starting while in gear. Wires from the ignition switch feeds starter solenoid current through the switch. Unless the switch is closed (clutch pedal depressed), the switch prevents current from reaching the starter solenoid. With the transmission in neutral, the clutch start switch is bypassed so the engine will crank and start.

SlithyTove

Thanks!

SlithyTove

Mine has never started w/o the clutch pressed in. That kind of annoyed me when I got it because I typically start manuals in neutral.

Maybe I have more broken switches than I know...

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

Neither did my 87..... I don't think that's what the neutral switch is for.

Moxeys93RX7

i just did this on my friends car and will be doing it on two others as soon as the weather clears up. there are two switches. on is a brass colored on on the front of the clutch pedal. to bypass it you need to cut the two wires on it and splice them together. that switch is also what is used to adjust clutch pedal height. there is another switch higher up the pedal arm and right up next to the firewall. it is a big pain to get out of place, the screws are very long 10mm and hard to get at. it is black with a white plunger. to bypass that switch you need to tape,glue,wahtever the plunger into the switch. i usually cut a small piece of wood or metal to hold the plunger in then cover in electrical tape. then just tuck i out of the way. i haven't yet figured out how to get rid of the switch completely as i think there are 3-4 wires and it is just going ot take some messing with

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

You don't want to rid of that one. That one tells the ECU when the clutch is pressed in, used for cruise control and to adjust the idle as the load from the tranny differs (as I am told by HAILERS)

Moxeys93RX7

i bypassed just the brass one and the car would still not start without pushing in the clutch. is anyone able to start there car without the clutch and still have working cruise control? now that u mention it i do know it disables the up shift ligth which is a nice feature

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

Well. I'm not sure if the other switch plays a role in starting, from what I knew it didn't. You can always completely rewire it from the ignition to the starter, which really isn't too difficult. Get about 6 feet of 14 gauge wire, and run it through the firewall under the dash, and under there you should find a black w/red stripe wire (SINGLE WIRE ON IT'S OWN CONNECTOR) Splice into that, then attach the other end (that's dangling outside the firewall to the starters solenoid where the other black wire currently is attached. That's how I have my automatic -> 5 speed currently setup, should be the same on others.

rx7freddie

i was wondering if this sensor came on all 2nd gens cause i had a 86 and u never had to hold it down to start it .

scathcart

Some 86's had it, some didn't. It depends on your build date.

HAILERS

Some early cars did not have the upper switch on the clutch pedal, as Scathcat said. My 87n/a does have two switches, but my turboii does not have the upper Clutch Interlock Switch. That one has to be depressed for the starter to work. The starter circuit goes thru that switch(on the cars that have one). To disable it, disconnect its plug, and jumper the two wires on the harness side of the plug. A couple of spades crimped on a piece of wire will do. Then the car will start any time you turn the key to start. The shifter has nothing to do with it at all. That's 86-88 models.

The lower switch on the clutch pedal is for disabling the cruise control and also used during cold start cycle. Depressed, it puts 12v on the ECU(I forget the pin right now). If one reads the 89 manual, the Fuel section, he will find a simplified schematic of the cold start system which shows what I just wrote in this paragraph.

Page FI-40 of the 89 manual.

What I wrote is for a 86-88 car. The 86-88 manual don't have a simplified schematic as is found on page FI-40 of the 89 manual. The fsm's got better in some areas, and got worse in others as they went along.