Clutch Pedal when Starting - Help!?

[tehsteve]

Hey Guys,I have an 03 Vibe GT - had it since new, and selling to my mom right now. She's been driving it the last couple of days, and finds it very difficult to start, as she has short legs and in mine you need to push the clutch pedal in quite far to get it to start. My question is, does anyone know of a way to disable the requirement of pushing the pedal in, or of a way to adjust the sensitivity? Your help is appreciated.Thanks,Steve

[Mavrik]

There would be no adjustment that I know of unless the switch that signals the car that the clutch is to the floor can be adjusted (which I do not think it can) Simply put the clutch must be fully disengaged to start the car. For that to happen the clutch must be to the floor. If you "adjusted" the switch and started the car with the clutch half pressed it will try and launch the car or burn the clutch. Unless started in neutral of course. Auto starts have a way of getting around this on manual transmissions but the car must be left in neutral. I'd suggest calling an autostart installer and see if they might happen to have something or some suggestions as to what might work.

[joatmon]

When I first got my vibe, it seemed like I really needed to mash the clutch pedal into the floor to get it to start. There really isn't any designed in adjustment in the clutch to start switch I took an adhesive rubber foot off something and stuck in on the back of the clutch pedal so that it contacts the switch a little sooner. It's maybe 3/8" think, seemed to be all I needed. Other people have bent the part of the clutch pedal that contacts the switch a little bit. here's an old thread about it, I know there are some more http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5044like Mav says, you don't want it to be so much that the clutch is not fully disengaged when starting. I thought of jumpering the switch so that I wouldn't need to press the clutch to get it to start, but never did, and there have been a couple of times when the clutch to start switch prevented me from bucking the car forward trying to start it, especially if I have to jump back and forth betweena manual and an automatic vehicle a lot. What will you be driving if mom gets the GT?

[tehsteve]

Thanks guys. I'm thinking about getting a new G6 GTP or Hardtop Convertible - but not entirely sure yet. I'd like something a little sportier this time around, as I don't require the practicality of the Vibe as I have a truck through my company now.

[new05vibeowner]

The G6 convertible is nice, but the almost total elimination of the trunk is a deal breaker for me.

[DavidPIL]

Hiya tehsteve,Quote, originally posted by joatmon »... I took an adhesive rubber foot off something and stuck in on the back of the clutch pedal so that it contacts the switch a little sooner. I did this as well . Although I'm not short by any means, I still had to mash the pedal to the floor to get the engine to start. Now it's a simple press. It's cheap and easy to do and reversable, so try that first.Can get em at Wal-Mart or any Home Improvement center for like $2-3. Also, mine has stayed on for almost 3 years now.Dave

[Mase]

If you peel back part of the carpet behind the clutch pedal you'll see a wire harness with 2 wires attached to a white coupler. unplug that then put a jumper into the female end of the terminals. Tape it up when you're done.I've had it like this for more than 2 years. I still make it a habit though to push the clutch in though when starting just to be safe.

[engineertwin2]

Jumpering the clutch switch could be a tricky deal. It is certainly no where near difficult to do, but you may be liable should the vehicle accidentally be started in gear and lurch forward. It could also void your powertrain warranty should something develop...

[Renthorin]

Over a year later and this thread puts a smile on my face.I HATED having to put all three feet on the clutch pedal to get the car to start. PS - 08 Vibe

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Renthorin »Over a year later and this thread puts a smile on my face.I HATED having to put all three feet on the clutch pedal to get the car to start. PS - 08 VibeHAHAHAHA @ three feet

[realred96]

I taped 2 pennies to the back of the pedal arm where it hits the clutch switch. Works like a charm!-just my 2 cents worth, realred96