It's not giving me any problems now but I would like to know if there is a way to bypass the safety device that does not allow the car to start unless the clutch is in in case it goes bad. How do I get my 1998 Forester L to start in neutral without the clutch?Easy enough, The 'safety switch' is up under the dash connected above the clutch pedal, just like the brake light switch is on the brake pedal. All it does is interrupt the power supply from the ignition switch to the starter. It is not there to save wear and tear on the starter, it is there to stop starting in gear and the potential problems that may cause!
If it goes wrong, there are several options open to you
1) locate the switch, remove the wiring terminal on it and simply bridge the connectors so that the circiut is not interrupted.
2) supply a live to the starter yourself. The trigger wire is a smallish spade connector and the nearest source of a live is the bolt terminal on the starter from the battery. (NOTE- make absolutely sure the car is not in gear, make sure you dont get anything cuaght in the engine as it turns. e.g. hanging clothes etc)
3) you can still 'bump start' the car. I.E. roll the car to 5mph or more, select second gear, drop the clutch and you are away.
I hope this helps. Incidentally, I am in the UK, and we dont get the clutch safety switch except on American imports (jeep/chrysler etc). I guess there must be some kind of legislation in the U.S. that after a certain time all cars must have it?
How do I get my 1998 Forester L to start in neutral without the clutch?There really arent any other options. The clutch is what starts the cars when you push it. the clutch is engauged and that turns the transmission which is connected to the motor and that turns the motor. Its not a safety thingHow do I get my 1998 Forester L to start in neutral without the clutch?Okay then. Here's the basic low-down on a clutch operated vehicle. See, when the clutch is engaged(i.e., the car's in gear and moving), the whole pressure plate, friction plate and gears are moving. When the clutch is dis-engaged, only the throw out bearing and the pressure plate move, nothing else does. On ALL newer vehicles with manual trannies, they ALL have a safety start neutral switch which MUST be working in order for the elecricity to get to the starter. Without that little device, the car ain't going to start. End of discussion. Yes, you CAN put the tranny into neutral and THEN push onto the safety switch in order to get the car started, but that's a pain in the tukhus! And no, removing the switch will only cause you migraines in the long run. So don't bother. If the switch is going bad, replacement is the only solution to the problem. Sorry.How do I get my 1998 Forester L to start in neutral without the clutch?Listen to Al H. The other bozo's don't know what they are talking about because if there was absolutely no way, than how do all the manual cars with a remote start work. I have no idea how it's done but try what he recommends and if you have trouble yet, look to NASIOC.com and I'm sure there is a write up for it.How do I get my 1998 Forester L to start in neutral without the clutch?You can install a remove start module that bypasses that safety device. (ie get the alarm module to turn on the ignition and fire the starter motor, independent of the clutch lock out device)
You can also jumper the connection between the safety switch and the starter motor so that circuit is always closed.
however, i don't recommend this. I once started my WRX by accident with remote start when 1st gear was engaged and the starter motor made the car roll forward a few feet before I could cut the engine. Not cool!
