'Clutch Interlock Switch' replacement ??

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Mon Oct 06, 2014 5:49 pm

I think the 'clutch interlock switch' is on the way out, on my 2000 MTX.
(The equivalent of the 'neutral safety switch' on an ATX.)

1). Does anyone have any experience - Or pointers - for replacing the clutch interlock switch ?? Seems it is in a rather difficult location.

2 ). I've read a few posts on the board from folks who got around the 'issue', by creating a 'bypass' in the circuit. Any experience from folks who have done this ?? (I use the parking brake and leave the car in neutral whenever I park it.) This sounds like it might be the easiest 'fix'.

Thanks in advance for any help !!

- Nick

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 8:06 pm

Can't you just unplug it? I vaguely remember reading that it disables the switch when you do that. Who leaves their car in gear when parking anyway?

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 9:42 pm

Donkeypuncher wrote:Who leaves their car in gear when parking anyway?

I do.

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 3:29 pm

I both leave it in gear and the parking brake, more if I'm on a hill, just as a redundant thing, in case for some bizarre reason the parking brake fails.

But I always make sure it is out of gear before cranking.

You can unplug it at the connector, but if you have Speed Control, It may not set, because the up stop switch cancels the speed control when pushing in the clutch. If you bypassed that, the engine would rev each time you clutched.

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 12:08 am

Thanks to Everyone, for the replies.

I don't have cruise on the car, so I will try unplugging it, and see what happens.

Like Bill - I *generally* do not put the trans into gear when parking the car - But I always engage the parking brake.

The only time I park the car with the trans 'in gear', is if I am parking on an incline or hill - For additional safety - In case the parking brake lets go, or loses tension. (This can happen, if you don't crank on the parking brake hard enough, and the rear drums start to cool off.)

- Nick

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Sun Nov 02, 2014 1:04 pm

Just posting a quick update to this thread.
I think I fixed the problem (for now) with a 'no-buck' fix.

On mornings where the car didn't want to engage the starter - I would have to push down on the clutch pedal 'extra hard', and then it would start.

When I was poking around underneath the dash, I saw that there is a little round rubber pad or 'stop' that the clutch pedal lever comes to rest upon, when it is bottomed out.
This rubber stop, looks similar to the ones that are located on the door jams.

I removed it, took it to the bench grinder in the garage, to shave it down a few thousandths, and reinstalled it. (I didn't want to risk removing it entirely, lest it allow the clutch lever to move the switch open too far.)

After reinstalling the 'modified' rubber stop, the problem has not reoccurred.
This may just be a temporary fix, but for now, it's working.

- Nick

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Mon Nov 03, 2014 8:08 am

Donkeypuncher wrote:Who leaves their car in gear when parking anyway?

you don't?