Car won't start!...and it's not the Steering Lock...

mayday813

I'm a little confused. Are you guys cleaning the clutch position switch or the the clutch interlock switch? Or, are you cleaning both switches?

wheee!

The switch that is depressed when the clutch pedal is fully pressed...

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wheee!

I see a few more of these threads popping up about this same issue... bump for relevance!

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JRHollywood

Glad I found this, I'm pretty sure (hoping) this is my issue also.

I started with the wheel lock fix, both cut the brown wire, didn't help. So I pulled the fuse for good measure, didn't help.

Then I reset the ECU which i read somewhere might help, didn't help. Ready to pull my hair out at this point until I found this post.

My car cycles between ACC and On, lights and all come on, but doesn't fire at all. Occasionally/intermittently it does though, and it seems to get worse and worse the last few weeks to now I don't want to drive it for fear of getting stuck somewhere. The "press clutch in" picture on the dash shows as well, which is why I started searching for clutch issues.

Fingers crossed cleaning it will be the solution! I'll let you know how it goes.

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2010 370Z Roadster
2007 Hummer H3

JRHollywood

Don't suppose you remember which way you turn the locking nut to loosen it? I have the harness disconnected, but that locking nut behind the bracket doesn't want to turn. The hanging metal bracket its all attached to is getting moved back and forth which isn't great, so I tried holding it in place with vice grips while i work on the locking nut. Doesn't help Im not sure which way to go.

Just put some WD 40 on it, if someone happens to know which way it might help the cause some though, thanks in advance.

Here's a pic looking at it, when looking towards front of the car, the locking nut is on the inside of this. Clockwise or counter clockwise when looking this way?

Attached Images

IMG_0735.jpg (517.4 KB, 77 views)

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2010 370Z Roadster
2007 Hummer H3

kenchan

FairladyZ10PG

I have the same issue & I'm going to have my clutch interlock switch with a new one by the same mechanic that replaced my CSC and master cylinder.

He's charging me $100 otd for parts & labor.

Anyone else think this is too much?

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kenchan

why dont u try cleaning it with some rc car motor spray? dat's the first tool i would use to clean it after removing the switch from the car that is.

FairladyZ10PG

I was already stranded once and don't plan on another one lol

Rather have a professional deal with this

Is RC motorspray the solution for everything? Haha

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kenchan

almost! i clean my stove top with it too. lol

yah, they usually just need the switch contacts cleaned the lubed with some switch lube or even a light coat of WD40 would work.

WD40 is great for fixing intermittent contact failures. like on my musical instruments that use 1/4" jacks and plugs, i coat it just a tad to prevent scratchy noises when they turn. same with sliders and pots, headphone inputs, etc.

FairladyZ10PG

Ok just want to share

I was playing with the clutch interlock switch yesterday. Pressed it a few dozen times and tried to clean the contact point with my finger.

Since then my car is starting up like new

Going to hold up replacing it w/ a new one until this stops working

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FairladyZ10PG

^Just a quick update: This method worked fine until about 2 weeks ago and the same problem has resurfaced.

I just had a shop replace the clutch interlock switch to a new one and the problem still exists.

The shop guys think it might be a problem with the wire that leads to the switch but they don't know for sure. Truly annoying!

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stealth23

Im having a hard time unscrewing the dam thing, is there an easier method to remove it ? please let me know, getting tired of taking 10min just to start the car.

wheee!

New ones have the exact same issue eventually... It is the switch design that needs to be changed. The contacts are too susceptible to oxidization and debris ingress in the footwell area.


Sent from my iPizzle ringy dingy device....

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Tcordero333

I havnt done anything to my steering wheel and mine does the same thing. It's like my clutch isn't all the way to the ground or some tepid ****! ... Anyone know what's going on?