Kinda strange no start

Im helping out a friend of mine, She has a 1997 Tacoma with the 2.7 and manual tranny. I'll be the first to say I know nothing about Toyota's, I've always had Fords.

Problem started a week ago, and it hasn't driven since. With tranny in neutral and clutch depressed the engine wont crank unless you push the clutch button to the LHS of the steering wheel. The engine will crank over, maybe 1 turn before the starter disenguages, I can hear the starter moving for maybe 1 second after and then it stops.

From what I can tell it sounds like a sensor/switch and maybe the starter, but like I said, dont know Toyota. Tried doing a search, but all that really came up was about clicking, which this truck isn't doing.

Thanks

 

Sounds like the clutch start switch (the one that prevents starting unless the clutch is depressed) is bad or its wiring has a fault somewhere.

The clutch start cancel switch (the one you have to use to get any starter action) overrides this.

However, this still doesn't explain the weak starter behavior.

A poor or broken shared ground connection (white / black wires) from the two switches might explain it.

 

i had this happen the other day in my 99. i depressed the clutch and tried to start the truck and nothing happened. i had to push it down to the floor and then it started. then it happened 20 mins later. but hasnt happened since.

 

My clutch start switch seems kinda finicky too... (no cancel button) It's like it'll start cranking then stop abruptly like I let off the clutch. I have to have it slammed to the floor to work. I'm guessing this switch is the issue... maybe the cancel switch still somehow ties into it and one of them is bad. I don't know... just guessing.