Clutch start override?

Anyone have a write up on installing a switch that overrides the button at the end of the clutch travel thus allowing you to start the truck without the clutch fully pressed down. I did a little looking around on here and didn't notice any threads. I have a 05 4cyl 5 speed

 

After I wore my clutch start cancel switch out, I put an oversize zip tie on my safety switch. Cheap & effective

 

Can I ask what the point of this button is in the first place?

 

I use it sometimes on cold mornings so I can just reach in the truck at start it and let it warm up. Some people use it as a crawl mode to get over an obstacle without smoking the clutch. Pretty hard on the starter though.

 

I thought such a switch is standard equipment? My 1998 4Runner had one, and so does my 2014 Tacoma. It's on the dash, left of the steering wheel.

 

How do they use it crawling? Your not saying you can start moving without the clutch pedal pushed in are you? How does it help with crawling?

 

Yep.

This thread may be of some interest: http://www.yotatech.com/f2/clutch-start-cancel-button-121410/

 

I'm struggling to understand, why would anyone want to use it in the manner described in that thread... like W-T-F?

 

I'm gunna stick with using it for warming up the truck lol thanks for info but in every situation described in that link could be solved by having a foot on the brake and starting normally

 

Agreed

 

Imagine a situation where you are on a trail and the back of your truck steps out and the truck stalls. Now you're on a steep slope and there is a 30 foot drop off right behind the truck. Your options are feathering the clutch and working the hand brake OR pushing a little button on the dash and walking that sucker out of there.

I'd rather have the button than not.

 

I've used mine a couple times. It's a great feature and works well.

 

So it doesn't hurt anything starting in gear??

 

This has been a feature on Toyota pickups for many years, ever since the clutch safety switch became mandatory. It's very useful in situations like Roundarc described, it makes starting off on a slope much easier and safer. Try it out in low range and 1st gear, makes for a very smooth start.

This is what it's designed for, unless you're going nuts with it you're not going to hurt the starter.

 

So low range is the key... not hi range

 

The zip tie thing would work. All the button does is connect the circuit for the safety. IF the 4 cyl 5 speed is like the v6 6 speeds theres just 2 wires going to a plug on the back of the switch. Hypothetically u could just cut the 2 wires and connect them and the circuit would always be complete. Im not going to tell u to go cutting wires to disable a safety feature on ur truck tho.. remember if u forget the trucks in gear its gonna lurch forward when u turn the key...


PS: My switch is disabled....

 

Well, my first Toyota pickup was a '79 model. I've had an '89, '96, 01 and now the '13. All manual trans 4x4's. I've used this technique with each of them while off-road many times, I can't remember ever using anything but low range and 1st gear, second a few times - maybe... Not sure. Think about what it's meant to do and it's logical where and when you would put it to use.

I owned an FJ-40 Land Cruiser before the first pickup and appreciate the long off-road history Toyota has behind these trucks. The clutch start cancel switch is a nod to the old days when using the starter in this way was a normal technique. The requirement for the clutch safety switch interferes with this way of operating the truck so Toyota added the switch to override the safety feature. Thank you Toyota for keeping that in place all these years. I had my 2013 parked on a slippery hill last weekend and didn't even think about it until I went to hit the switch, then I had to pause for a moment to be sure I hit the right one - my older trucks didn't have a group of switches down there...

If it's new to you, and you want to try it out, park on a hilly spot where taking off again is a little tricky or someplace you may stall the truck. Go to low range, first gear, engine off and don't use the throttle. Engage the switch and crank the starter. The truck will move right out, smoothly going right to idle. As that is happening you can apply throttle as required.

 

Well mine didn't come with a switch. I bought it used. Might have been there before. I have thought about zip tying it but wanted to go a little fancier and have a switch. Also though that when I install weather techs I could us it as a security feature so if the switch is off the clutch has to be press to start it but the floor mats block the travel and won't start the truck. Flip the switch. Fires right up.

 

and this is why i have an auto......

Seriously though, bumping the starter off road in gear makes things nice... used to do it all the time in my 79 jeep... but that didnt even have a clutch switch to begin with. Really helped if you got stuck in the middle of a steep hill / sand dune and dug in... then stalled due to the carb not being able to fuel right... reverse, and bump the starter, and your good.

 

Correct, only crawl out of a situation via starter in low-range.