I have a '92 Nissan - have to push in the clutch to start it. For about a month, it doesn’t always start the first time; let out clutch, push it in, turn key, it starts. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 times. Today, leaving work, it wouldn’t start after doing this numerous times. It made no noise whatsoever – dead. I sat there for a few minutes thinking I’d have to call for road service, then tried again and it started. A co-worker said it’s probably just the clutch lockout switch needs cleaning - it’s not making a good contact. Is this switch easily accessible and can I clean it (and how?), or am I going to have to pay someone to do it?
It’s probably easy to clean/fix or whatever, but I’m not sure how safe it would be. Since you’re not sure if you can fix it yourself, maybe you should have a mechanic do it.
Do you have a Haynes manual for your Nissan? They tell you everything you need to know about your vehicle. You can get them at most autoparts stores. See http://www.haynes.com/
I’d say that the clutch switch needs replacement, or maybe adjustment, but I wouldn’t clean it. I haven’t seen the switch in question, but I’m sure that you can’t tear it down to clean it. Even if you did get it to work again, it might last for a while or it might not. It’s probably a cheap part, cheaper than the inconvenience of being late the next time the switch fails.
The switch is probably down at the clutch pedal (has anyone seen one that wasn’t?) It may look like anything, but look for something (probably with two wires going to it) that either has a wire/spring going to the clutch or with a button that pushes (or should push; if it’s broken, it may not) against a metal pad on the clutch pedal. You probably have the type that pushes on a metal pad. Honestly, I don’t know if the pull type was ever used for clutches, but they used to use them on motorcycle brake pedals, so I included it just to be thorough.
Once you find the part, you can probably figure out how it works and maybe use an ohmmeter to test it, if you or a friend have one. The aftermarket parts guys (try NAPA first, then Autozone, Pep Boys, etc.) may stock it, but I wouldn’t bet on it. You will probably need to get it from the dealer.
Sorry for this being so long. Also, I know some of it may have been technical and/or vague, but I haven’t seen the car in question, so I really can’t be more specific. Post any questions, and I’ll answer them as I read them.
'92 Nissan? That doesn’t say much. There could be a factory recall, there is no way to tell just knowing those two things. What is the model?
The clutch might just need adjusting. Why don’t you just call the local '92 Nissan center & ask them?
As brave (often foolishly so) as I used to be in the 70’s and 80’s re fixing all manner of mechanical items on my 73 Dodge Dart and 86 Honda Civic, automobiles in the 90’s have gotten to the point of integrated complexity that you are better off having a pro fix it.
It isn’t the cleaning of the part in question that would be of concern it would be the issue of making sure that the removal, dis-assembly and replacement procedure didn’t give some bank of related sensors a heart attack. Plus it could easily be something else and it would probably be worthwhile to have a professional look at it in any case.
You can always say “no thank you” to a proposed service or repair if you think you are being taken advantage of.
astro, no offense (or to anyone else), but it’s just a switch. On an eight year old car, the starter circuit should be separate from any sensitive electronics, and besides, the switch disconnects itself every time the clutch is let out. If it needed filtering, it would have it upstream of the switch. The power should be off when you’re working on a car, but even if the switch was disconnected with power on, the car would act like the clutch was engaged and wouldn’t start.
If it’s in the place that I think it is (at the clutch pedal), it’s easy to see and should be easy to replace. The hardest thing will probaby be figuring out how to remove it. Like I said above, no offense. I just don’t like to see people get unnecessarily afraid of technology, and I could see this becoming an example.
I had the same problem with my '85 Fiero, and it turned out that it was just bent back a little too far. A gentle nudge towards the pedal and it worked.
I would probably go ahead and replace it. If the Factory part is too expensive, go to a used parts dealer and buy a few.
If you are really desparate you could wire a little toggle switch in parallel with the clutch switch. Anytime it won’t start just flick the little switch and there you go. I won’t say that you could remove the clutch switch in this case but…
No offense taken but (at least in my case and I’m going to guess many others) lack of a prudent respect/fear for modern integrated systems in cars causes many more problems that the cost savings warrant. If you know what you are doing re auto electronics (like you) the job is probably quite trivial but I’ve seen enough “simple” service jobs (even little switches) get a lot more expensive, real fast that I am probably gun shy when it comes to 90’ish and beyond cars…but that’s just me.
The model is an NX. I understand what you’re saying about being careful not to screw up something else in the process…but I know it could be simple (and the co-worker who diagnosed it does the work on his own cars), and he says it’s a simple fix…(I was hoping he’d offer to fix it but no luck). I think I need to take a look first. Of course I didn’t do that today. (Yes, I’m a member of the Procrastinators Club.) If I have any doubts about my ability to fix it, I wouldn’t fool with it. I don’t mind paying to have it fixed – I just don’t want to be ripped off, and the dealership will rip me off. so I may need to depend on a recommendation from a friend if it needs a pro. BTW, the three times I started it today, no problem. Started first try. Thanks.
As the guy said, first you get the book [Hayes], about $16.00 & in the book are complete instructions on how to do it, then you can decide if you want to do it. Also, the books are packed of info of what it could be.
My car had a clutch lockout switch. When it broke (when I was far from home, I might add, with very few tools on hand) I found it almost impossible to reach so I just cut the two wires leading to it, stripped an inch of insulation off of each and twisted them together. I then put electrical tape over the bare wires. I no longer have a clutch lockout switch but at least my car starts.