Replace clutch bypass switch or get rid of.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Moorestown NJ
Replace clutch bypass switch or get rid of.
My clutch by pass switch is bad and I found one for $275.00. Apparently they are hard to find and to install from what I have read. So looking at about $400.00 installed.
Would any of you pay for it or jump it so it just does not work any longer and the car starts without having to engage the clutch?
Would any of you pay for it or jump it so it just does not work any longer and the car starts without having to engage the clutch?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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My clutch by pass switch is bad and I found one for $275.00. Apparently they are hard to find and to install from what I have read. So looking at about $400.00 installed.
Would any of you pay for it or jump it so it just does not work any longer and the car starts without having to engage the clutch?
Would any of you pay for it or jump it so it just does not work any longer and the car starts without having to engage the clutch?
Since you say installed, does that mean you can't do the work? It's fairly easy to get to and/or bypass. If I couldn't find a salvage unit (for cheap), I'd look for cross reference to other late-model cars (in case the Corvette tax is in effect).
If you still hadn't gotten a relay, consider there's NOTHING different from those relays to any other Bosch-style relay. So, you could patch in any 4-prong bosch relay to accomplish your goal. And, they are about $5 new.
You could simply bypass it and hope you don't screw up. Or....
One last (partial) solution is to add keyless entry (assuming you haven't already. In doing so, connect the starter-kill relay setup. With that relay set to connect when the doors are unlocked, at least you'd have the thought of start/no start depending on the position of your door locks. (Yeah,,,not THAT much better than bypassing the relay but it could "work" if you lock the doors while parked AND while driving. IOW, your unlock would be only for entry and starting the vehicle.)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Akron Ohio
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I would just jump it and not worry about it. That's what I did years ago when mine went bad.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,392
Likes: 218
From: Merritt Island, FL
FWIW, most of us ZR-1 guys have these clutch safety switches bypassed, since they are failure prone, leading to the risk of being stranded. I'm in the habit of depressing the clutch while starting anyway, so if you're the only driver of the car, I'd say just bypass it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
safety item, must be used, cannot bypass.
of course, with the clutch pedal depressed, the throw-out fork pushes on the pressure plate/crankshaft with ~1.5 tons of force and until the engine oil pump turns there is no lubrication at the thrust bearing that the crankshaft rides against, resulting in rapid wear of the thrust bearing and crankshaft...also, the starter motor works harder to overcome 'dry' thrust bearing/crank, resulting in early demise of starter motor/battery/flywheel gear/etc and slower fire-up...(back/day b4 cis switches were mandated, 'worn' thrust flanges on crankshafts were unheard of, today a common problem, some too far gone to rebuild)
do not bypass/remove the clutch safety interlock switch or relay, just buy/install new parts when the existing ones fail.
of course, with the clutch pedal depressed, the throw-out fork pushes on the pressure plate/crankshaft with ~1.5 tons of force and until the engine oil pump turns there is no lubrication at the thrust bearing that the crankshaft rides against, resulting in rapid wear of the thrust bearing and crankshaft...also, the starter motor works harder to overcome 'dry' thrust bearing/crank, resulting in early demise of starter motor/battery/flywheel gear/etc and slower fire-up...(back/day b4 cis switches were mandated, 'worn' thrust flanges on crankshafts were unheard of, today a common problem, some too far gone to rebuild)
do not bypass/remove the clutch safety interlock switch or relay, just buy/install new parts when the existing ones fail.
Last edited by redrose; May 22, 2011 at 03:16 PM.
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 508
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From: N.W. CT
I would just override it. You may be able to splice a push button style switch on your dash or knee bolster where you would hold the switch in with you left hand and start the car. It would be a good theft deterrent.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 135
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From: Moorestown NJ
Wow, I thought I had my mind made up to find a cheaper one but if it is a common problem of going bad, I do not want to get stranded. I am the only one who drives the car. Now I am having second thoughts on where to go on this one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 23
From: Bowling Green KY
Mine is gone as well - it's actually awesome to be able to start the car in the garage (when you are working on it) and not have to get IN the car - just make sure it's in neutral obviously . . .
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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You can't deny the logic to include one as a safety procaution. OTOH, I have NO idea what the post about the trust bearing meant.
Is the thrust bearing different than TO or pilot? Because the clutch TO bearing is not lubricated by the motor.
Last edited by GREGGPENN; May 23, 2011 at 02:54 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
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From: moraga ca
In general, relays don't fail that frequently. But they can/do fail. If you're more interested in being stranded, bypass the setup and be done with it. After all, people got by w/o one for over 50yrs. Doubt there were a record number of accidents because someone tried to start their manual transmission while in gear.
You can't deny the logic to include one as a safety procaution. OTOH, I have NO idea what the post about the trust bearing meant.
Is the thrust bearing different than TO or pilot? Because the clutch TO bearing is not lubricated by the motor.
You can't deny the logic to include one as a safety procaution. OTOH, I have NO idea what the post about the trust bearing meant.
Is the thrust bearing different than TO or pilot? Because the clutch TO bearing is not lubricated by the motor.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I have to think there's still an oil film on the surface even w/o oil pressure. Unless the car has sat for weeks.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: moraga ca
There is a film, but as with any other bearing surface with a load, when there is oil pressure, the metal parts are kept apart by the oil film under pressure. If a car has sat for months, there is just the surface oil film between the bearing and the crankshaft. I guess there isn't enough force pushing the crankshaft forward to destroy anything. Cars have had clutches for a century and thrust bearing wear isn't normally a problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
giggle 'thrust bearing failure' to learn more.
Last edited by redrose; May 23, 2011 at 06:45 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 68
Likes: 4
From: Monterey, Ca
bypass clutch switch
So, after all the do's and don't, i always depress the clutch, but being a little short and needing to have the pedal on the floor,, I'd like to disable the thing. Has anyone done it on an 07? Instructions please?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
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From: Minneapolis Mn
If it's like on mine, follow the clutch pedal up to the pivot and there's a switch there. Unplug the wire from the switch. Make up a jumper to connect both sides of the wires together - done.
