Clutch Start Cancel Issue

Parked on a snowy hill last night so I decided to use the clutch start cancel for the first time just to get a feel for it.

Not sure if I did something wrong or not but it didn't get me going. Started in first gear 4hi. The started cranked and the truck moved maybe and inch and the starter bogged down. Tried it again same issue. Started with the clutch instead and no issues.

Not really concerned about the CSC. Probably won't even need it but wondering if there is an underlying issue?

I've had one other time, also while parked on a hill, that the truck had trouble starting normally as well. A couple of tries got it going though.

Truck is about two months old.

 

Clutch start cancel is really for low range.

 

After typing it all out I wondered if it's only for 4Lo. I haven't RTFM yet.

 

Lol, no worries.

 

Clutch Cancel really isn't intended to move your truck with the starter alone. It is used to allow you to roll-start your vehicle by enabling the ignition circuits so that the spark plugs will fire WITHOUT the clutch being disengaged. If you don't understand what 'roll-start' means, I don't know if I can explain it better.

 

It’s meant to move your truck with starter alone, but it has to be in 4lo as mentioned above. That’s exactly the purpose of clutch start cancel.

Let’s say you are stuck on a hill and it’s unsafe to roll back, you can use clutch start cancel to creep yourself up.

 

^^^
Exactly this! Can really get you out of a jam, though to be honest I've not been in a situation yet where I needed it on my Taco, I have been in situations in my off-road VW where being able to start (or sometimes just crank) the car in gear to creep over an obstacle (I'm looking at you big scary rock in Moab). I'm not saying that there aren't other ways to accomplish the same thing, but that having a way to crank or start in gear can make a sketchy situation a bit easier.

 

It is limited by the power output and gearing of the starter motor at your current battery output. Yes, you can get the engine to turn over in high range, but that is only likely in a flat area or very slight grade. Hills and high loads where the tires have resistance from snow, rocks, etc., you want to be in low range as noted above.

 

FWIW, a 2.0kw starter with a fat battery might move it out nicely in high range. 3rd gen V6 trucks all receive the 1.4kw unit.

 

Clutch start cancel is not needed for roll starts (and if you can get going fast enough you can even roll start an automatic). Using it for roll starts will not help or hurt, but knowing that it is not needed could help if you ever need to roll start a vehicle that does not have it.

Anyway, that is not the topic of this thread, and other than turning the truck on without getting in I have not personally every found a situation where I wanted to use it. Perhaps I should play with it just because.

 

Sorry for starting this Friday thread a day early.

Tried it again on the same hill in low and got 'er going with no issues. Turns out I'm a moron. Ha.

Now that I know it works I'll probably never need it again.

 

We have hill start assist on the MT sports. Do you know if that works in 4 low? (I haven't tried yet)

 

It works in all modes and in Reverse if nose down.

It would be great to have an Off switch though.

 

Yes.

I really don’t understand why there is no switch for us sport guys. I’m sure it could be done but I have no clue as I suck in electronics.

 

Disable ABS and it stops working.

Also, I use CSC for when I'm working around the truck and don't want to get in to start it.

 

Lol....I thought the damn thing was to let me start the truck on cold mornings without climbing in and using the clutch.

 

Haha!

Owners manual is fantastic!

 

True story...but I have too many damn manuals to read at work. I can't imagine reading my truck manual at this point. I'm wingin' it!

Judging by the replies in this thread, I'm not the only one...

 

You both are right here. The CSC serves multiple purposes. Using it to move the truck or to pop-start your Tacoma are both possible due to this feature.

 

Mia culpa - I guess it's RTFM.
My current Taco is an Auto, so knowing this is moot.
My previous '06 Taco was a manual. Never read the owner's manual on this topic - just assumed it was to permit roll-starting.
I can see how it could help to get moving in some tricky situations, but I never felt that the starter could easily handle moving the truck. I wouldn't have made it a habit to utilize it for that purpose.