Solution for "stomp-on-the-clutch-to-start"

[Sub-Vibe-R]

I though I had to press too hard on the clutch to start the engine. I found an very easy and quick way to fit it. I stick a little piece of plastic (about 1/4'long) with a 2 side tape on the clutch pedal. It works very well and it took about 30 sec to do.

[Flip-Side]

What? I don't think I get this.

[Vibe Rater]

It sounds to me like the little piece of plastic, fastened with 2 sided tape, would go between the clutch pedal arm and the switch. Might work well for a little while, till the awesome power of your leg rips the plastic off. I think there would have to be some kind of adjustment for the switch somewhere to move it closer to the clutch pedal arm. If I ever get my VIBE, I'll take a look.

[d_m_kolb]

Can the switch be removed and a spacer be used then screw the swich back in. Great idea but at some point it's going to rip off. The two side tape idea I mean.

[Frosty]

quote:Great idea but at some point it's going to rip off. The two side tape idea I mean.Where the clutch pedal hits the stitch (oops, make that switch bad typing) is a 1 + 1/2" square surface. I did the double sided tape thing for now. Now that I have the thing sized out I will ty-wrap something to the clutch pedal arm and that will be permanent. There must be an adjustment for this though.....

[mkl116]

I' ve been meaning to take a look at this. Glad you did. It was pretty sad when dealer handed me the keys and I couldn't start the thing. The guy forgot to tell me I had to pretend I was pushing the clutch through the pavement below. Wonder why Pontiac didn't think, "Hmmm, that seems odd," when they test drove their own handy work...

[Frosty]

Were you able to "stick" it to it, or are you bringing it in? I would be interested what your dealer does.

[m4VibeGT]

quote: It was pretty sad when dealer handed me the keys and I couldn't start the thing. The guy forgot to tell me I had to pretend I was pushing the clutch through the pavement below. ...My dealer told me that I need to put the gear in reverse and press on the clutch to start the car. The saleslady has to call another salesman to re-start my new Vibe before I was able to drive off. When I came back to pick up my license plates a week later, I have to tell the saleslady the proper way of starting the Vibe. I wonder how many Vibe owners from that dealership got the wrong instructions GM needs to educate their dealers a lot better than this, specially on a totally new car.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

quote: My dealer told me that I need to put the gear in reverse and press on the clutch to start the car. The saleslady has to call another salesman to re-start my new Vibe before I was able to drive off. Put the car in reverse to start the engine. This is one of the funniest thing I heard..... May be they need some course on how to start a car with a manual tranny

[Vibe Rater]

So, if you put the manual shifter into reverse before you start the car, you don't have to press as hard on the clutch pedal to start it? Is that what you're saying? That sounds like a solution to me.

[NovaResource]

No, you still have to push the clutch in. BTW, putting the trans in reverse isn't so unusual. I've seen a few cars that required the trans in reverse (and the clutch in) to start.

[camthecanuck]

I too wondered if there was something wrong with the car! I just about had a fit because it had taken me ages to track down the car that I wanted. I think that it is a great feature WHEN THE CAR IS IN GEAR but can't imagine any advantage when it is in neutral. I always used to start my car in neutral when I had standards in the past. Perhaps Pontiac should rethink this feature?

[Sub-Vibe-R]

Pressing the clutch is a standard feature on all new vehicule. It is to prevent start when the trany is on a gear and avoid some accident. It is a nice security feature but the one on the Vibe is a little bit too "safe"

[Frosty]

quote:I think that it is a great feature WHEN THE CAR IS IN GEAR but can't imagine any advantage when it is in neutral. I always used to start my car in neutral when I had standards in the past. Perhasp Pontiac should rethink thsi feature?It is a safety feature to prevent your 2 year old from starting the car. You wouldn't want him/her to start the car in nuetral either and subsequently shift gears like the grownups do. I have had this on my cars for 12 years and don't even think about it anymore.

[MadBill]

I noticed when I picked my car up on Thursday that the clutch had to be fully depressed to engage the switch, but soon got used to it. Until this morning! I jumped in, hit the pedal and the key...nothing! Repeat, wiggle key and tromp pedal... still nothing! Oh, (bleep)! Then I remembered I had installed winter rubber mats yesterday. I stomped the pedal like I wanted to put it through the floor...Bingo! I too will be finding a way to change that ^&#@#$ adjustment!

[ZXtra]

I had the same problem. My solution was too very slightly bend the little tab on the clutch pedal arm so I wouldn't have to push it through the floor. I just used an adjustable wrench...closed it on the tab and gave it a little push. Problem solved! -ZXtra

[MadBill]

Great! The best plans are usually the simplest! I'm going to give it a tweak before I head to work in an hour.