by candn, October 1, 2009
04 Manual transmission. When we start the car we must push the clutch right to the floor. Gradually we have had to push harder. Now we have to push very hard to get the ignition to kick in. Is there any way i can adjust this? Or is something worn out?
Sounds like the clutch start switch, the clutch start switch bracket, or the bracket and pad that actually makes contact with the switch - are bent too far away to effectively engage the switch. Pretty common on many different cars with standard transaxles. If you look at the clutch pedal - there should be a bracket with a pad, about in the middle of the whole pedal arm - right between the two extreme bends of the clutch arm. The clutch start switch is mounted on the firewall - looks like one of those old door push pin switches.
Make sure the switch doesn't have anything covering it up or stuck in any way. Then press down on the clutch (have someone press down on it while you look at the motion) - and make sure it is making good contact with the switch. Chances are that the pedal will bottom out before it pushes the switch all the way in. Have to bend up either one of the brackets - so that it makes contact sooner. That should solve the issue. If it still has a problem with starting, check to make sure that the switch makes continuity (check with multimeter) when depressed. Possible that the switch is worn out or has dirt work its way in there and no preventing a good contact.
