Sensor prevents car start if clutch not ALL the way in

lalunettelalunette familEE
in Engine & Drivetrain
I have a 90 wagon with a 5spd tranny. There is a type of sensor in the clutch pedal that prevents me from starting my car unless the clutch pedal is FULLY depressed.

What is that sensor/mechanism, how does it work and can it be disabled?

My issue is that my car mat sometimes slides up under the clutch pedal and prevents it from being FULLY depressed and the car won't start. Very annoying.

Case in point, my son just called to tell me the car just won't start. I told him to pull back the mat and, presto, the car started.

Looking forward to your input.

Comments

  • progressprogress Wagonist
    This might help...

    http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1163909
  • lalunettelalunette familEE
    Well, it helped somewhat...

    I'm going to go through my Service Manual tonite and see what I can find.

    Cheers !!
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    I would think on the older cars it is a simple switch. Unplug and put a jumper in it.
  • SiWagonSiWagon Council Member
    There's some bad info in that there link.
    Yes the clutch switch can be overrode.Follow the clutch pdl up pass the pivot point & ul see the back of the switch.Just pull it & jump the wires.They're probably Blk & Blu/Blk.Early EFs actually didn't have a clutch switch.
  • quartersquarters Council Member
    correct, the 88's had no safety switch.

    I have jumped the safety switch in my wagon because it lets me start the car to warm up while i brush all the snow off, without me having to haul my snowy boots into the car to push the pedal.


    anyway, like the above stated... follow the pedal to the sensor and unplug it. then just 'jump' them by putting a paper clip or a wire into the one end of the female plug and then the other end in the other female slot.

    10 minutes, free of cost. my favorite kind of fixes.
  • turbo_tegturbo_teg Council Member
    88 non clutch safety FTW
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    SiWagon wrote:
    Early EFs actually didn't have a clutch switch.

    To add to that, none of the JDM EFs had this at all on the MTs that i am aware of.
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    My euro 91 doesn't have this safety switch either. I hate them :twisted:
  • lalunettelalunette familEE
    quarters wrote:
    correct, the 88's had no safety switch.

    I have jumped the safety switch in my wagon because it lets me start the car to warm up while i brush all the snow off, without me having to haul my snowy boots into the car to push the pedal.


    anyway, like the above stated... follow the pedal to the sensor and unplug it. then just 'jump' them by putting a paper clip or a wire into the one end of the female plug and then the other end in the other female slot.

    10 minutes, free of cost. my favorite kind of fixes.

    Thank you quarters... and thx to all the other contributors. I'll see about jumping this switch if I have access to a heated garage.
  • nominousnominous familEE
    TBH I think it's only the North American market. I guess too many people aint used to stick and checking it aint in gear.
    Think of the litigation!! :lol:
  • lalunettelalunette familEE
    nominous wrote:
    TBH I think it's only the North American market. I guess too many people aint used to stick and checking it aint in gear.
    Think of the litigation!! :lol:

    Ya, I agree...

    That's also probably why they have "automatic" seatbelts on wagons in the US market. :twisted:
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