Wanting to Modify Clutch Start Cancel

This idea all started because I got annoyed that the Clutch Start Cancel button was on the left, rather on the right with my key hand in my 2018 Manual Tacoma. I think I had something in my left hand and didn't want to press in on the clutch.

Now I understand why the button is on the left, so you can start the car from outside, but I'd like to have it always pressed so I can just hop in and start the truck, or have it on the right. Being that it's a large rather than small switch button, I can't move it to the center dash easily since those are all small buttons.

I was looking around and though I could either put it in the dash right behind the ignition or in the location where the push to start button is on the automatic models. And then I had a lightbulb moment, why not just replace the climate control piece with the one that has the push to start button and use that to trigger the Clutch Start Cancel or even better have it actually start the truck.

Is this even possible? I'm not an electrical guy and would like some ideas. Could I use a push to start button to activate the Clutch Start Cancel with a possible and of even starting the truck?

 

Welcome to the forum

Have you ever heard the expression "Is the juice worth the squeeze?"?

Well this one doesn't sound worth it to me. These trucks have fussy, finicky electrical systems to begin with (read some of the threads here) and every mod carries the risk of jacking something up.

Both the cancel switch and also the foot switch are included in the truck for a specific purpose, I would leave them alone and devote my energy to other things.

 

Relocation sounds better than substitution or canceling.

 

The CSC switch just simulates the clutch in plunger (like a stop light switch) is in the correct position, you could wire a manual flip switch to the wire and ground at the switch as the factory plunger grounds through the pedal bracket.

You would want it on a manual switch as if the clutch is pushed in the cruise control won't work so you would need to be able to disable it as well that's also why you can't just ground the factory wire out right.

 

Just pop out your clutch switch and let it hang, the switch will be in triggered state.

This idea is bad. Just push the clutch in like the rest of the world.

 

For a while, my switch was velcroed to the kick plate. Then I got over it, got a new panel, and put it back in place.

 

Just when I think I have read all of the....unusual...ideas, this forum does not disappoint.
Bravo, do it and post pics. Also, let us know how much the dealer charged you to fix the ecm you will undoubtedly short out.

 

I do not believe the clutch start cancel button is a convenience feature for people that like to start their truck without getting inside. I think it is for getting started on very steep inclines where rolling backwards is dangerous.

Being old enough to have driven automobiles prior to the popularity of the clutch start safety device, I can you that you are not missing anything other than minor screwups that quickly become scary screwups.

 

Yeah, but they put the switch in the left, so it’s easy to reach,

after you’ve reached across to take it out of gear.

 

I had my first gen run off on me once because someone else had driven it and left it in gear when I never did, ever since then I developed a habit that carried over into my second gen I always reach over and wiggle the gear shift to make sure it's out of gear before starting, whether inside or outside the vehicle.

Fortunately the time I did that dumb, the parking brake had enough drag to cause it to bog and die when the starter disengaged but it tried to run, if my friend hadn't used the parking brake and just parked it in gear it could have been a very bad day.

I don't condone using the clutch start cancel to start the truck outside the vehicle I'm not saying I don't do it but I am saying it's not a good idea, it's original purpose is to more or less be a third foot for sketchy situations such as when off road stuck on a sharp incline with a stalled truck, the kind of situation where screwing up can mean you're going over a cliff face.

And I have actually used it for that exact purpose twice in the five or so years I've had this truck.

 

I doubt that’s the reason it’s on the left. Why would Toyota want to promote a less-than-safe practice? Could they have placed it on the left because there was no room on the right?

 

I use mine to start my truck without getting in all the time lol

 

Out of curiosity, in what situations are people starting the truck when not inside it? I only start my truck when I want to drive somewhere.

 

To warm it up in the morning, or with todays heat, to cool it off lol. I’ll pop in the garage, open the door, crank the truck, and then spend about 10 min getting ready for work so my engine is warm when I’m ready to leave.

 

I have a gate on my property I start the truck to let it warm up for a minute as I walk by it to open the gate and get the AC going to push the worst of the heat out, is my most common.

Inversely when cold sometimes I'll start it to let the heat get going before coming back out to drive off.

At a campsite sometimes I just want to use it to make electric for the bed plug for a bit, with no need to drive it.

Occasionally you need it running to diagnose or perform maintenance but aren't going to drive it.

There's a number of cases when it's handy.

Every auto I've known so long as it's in park you can just turn the key and start it, why not be able to start a manual outside of it?

But ultimately the primary purpose is for more safely getting out of a bad situation off-road.

 

I liked it on left, seems logical to me. Press the clutch start cancel when you go to crank it. But most older 70s and 80s standard shift vehicles didnt have that option.

 

I guess it's real hard to get in and start it and get out. Real hard.

 

I nearly lost my leg at the knee the doctor's were amazed I can walk as well as I do, yes it's quite difficult to get in and start it when I don't plan on driving it.

 

People who opted to go through the effort of operating the clutch and selecting gears are too lazy to disengage the clutch to start it. Oh the irony.