Bypassing the clutch safety switch...

I had an issue with my previous clutch in the car because it grabbed at the very top of the pedal, and I would still push the pedal ALL the way down. I was told this is not good on the pressure plate or the throwout bearing, as it's just overstressing the parts. With the new Mongoose clutch in there, I've been careful to only push the pedal down however much is necessary to get it into gear, which is working nicely.

HOWEVER, the problem came up with the clutch safety switch... The safety switch doesn't engage up top obviously, and still doesn't complete the circuit with the little plunger until the pedal's about halfway in. I understand that it won't cause enough stress to actually damage anything, but I'd still really like to cover all my bases and bypass it. I know what's needed to do so, and I understand that it 'isn't safe since I could start the car and have it roll forward or lurch from stalling', however I always shift into neutral before starting (so I can release the clutch right after startup), my parking brake is ALWAYS applied, and my right foot is always on the brake upon startup.

I was wondering if bypassing the safety switch would somehow cause issues with cruise control? Since cruise can be turned off by just applying the clutch, would bypassing the safety switch cause any issues with that? I use cruise control 90% of the time I drive, and don't want any issues with it.

nmcgrawj said:

Even when u think u ALWAYS apply the brake.....the 1 time u forget could be 1 time u regret. Trust me. I know from experience. Bypass it and put it on a momentary switch perhaps that u have to press or something just to test if its causing any issues. I wouldnt trust myself. I had the same thinking u did...i didnt do it one time and i saw how far the car can literally leap (5-10ft easily). Just not worth the risk IMO.

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It's either make damn sure I apply the brakes before starting, and start in neutral like I ALWAYS have for the past 4 years of driving, or I risk damaging yet another clutch. I can't afford it, and IMO I'd rather take the risk of not doing something I normally do by habit.

JT, already thought about that too. My mechanic was the one who suggested it to me in the first place. I'm literally the only one who drives my car minus a shop owner, so friends driving it is definitely not an issue. For shop owners, like you said, a sticky note will work just fine.

nmcgrawj said:

How is bypassing an electrical switch saving a clutch?

And for $5, u can add a switch to replace it that u can manually hit.



Better safe than sorry.

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Because the CSS doesn't complete its circuit until the pedals more than halfway down or so, and my clutch is disengaged at the VERY top of the pedal, so I'm causing it to push even more where it's already disengaged.

Explain more on this switch... Instead of pressing the clutch, I would press a button? While still turning the key to the crank position? That'd be cool to have. I don't care what goes in there, just so long as I don't need to complete the CSS circuit to start up.