Murf72

1999 Honda civic LX 5-speed

Turn the key, lights on dash come on, no clicking, nothing happens.
Discovered the clutch interlock switch 'pad' crumbles.
Got down there, peered up, sure enough, when clutch is depressed, that upper interlock switch is not being touched.
I have done the forum search, over ten pages on clutch interlock switch. Lots of great advice about jumpering and what not. but all the posts sound like they assume you can already get to to the dang thing.

I cannot seem to find how to access the dang switch, I can barely see the plug end, can kind of get my hand to it from underneath, no idea how to unplug it. I don't want to jumper it really, I would like to just replace it, but how do ya get to the thing?

That is all the further I got on my lunch break, after work I was going to remove the lower panel and the knee bolster, is that going to get me access to that stupid switch? (Now that I think about it, I need to replace the pad, not the switch, same deal there, can barely see pad is gone, but no idea how to get up in there.)
I cannot believe there is not a video showing how to get to the stupid thing lol

P.S.
If there is already a thread telling how to access and remove that clutch interlock switch, please delete this)

Appreciate any tips.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Why do you need to access/remove that? You never said. Replace or rig up something to replace the rubber stopper like you mentioned. To access it you're going to have to get on your back. Period.

Murf72

Yes I realize now I was not clear in my post I apologize.

Correct all i need to do is put something there to take the place of the little piece that crumbled apart. I am still faced with the same dilemma though, even on my back, I am unable to get my hand up there far enough to reach that spot to be able to glue anything there.

I was hoping someone had an idea of how I could get to that area.

.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

To reach things up into that area I had to assume the posture of an astronaut waiting for lift-off. Your other option is to get a small child that can follow directions.

Murf72

LOL well I was on my back, stil to get to the spot where the grommet was. is nigh impossible, I could barely reach the back side with my pinky, found I could reach the front of it if i over extended my thumb way up there.

Ended up smearing epoxy on a penny with my thumb, stuck penny to my thumb and them wrangled my thum up in there to get the penny sticking to the top of the pedal,

what a PIA.

I am very curious as to what steps a mechanic would do in order to access that grommet/ and or switch. Would love to see the specs on it.

TomCat39

I think they would remove the clutch pedal and make repairs, then re-install the pedal.

Murf72

Wow, interesting, so I save a decent amount of money. good to know.

Removing that pedal has to be at least a couple billable hours

Former User

Removing the driver's seat would almost surely make the job easier.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

It helps that my steering wheel is removable.

Murf72

Serious question, how would that help? I was on my back, seat laaid flat, laid out so my head was under the dash, not sure how not having the seat there would help my arms reach up under there any better.

Not being sarcastic, I know i overlook simple stuff quite a bit so I am genuinely curios, I am sure I will be back under there again in the near future.

Former User

The body position you describe would be both painful and awkward for me.

nub

Remove the lower dash panel and the knee bolster behind it. It's a couple of Phillips screws and two 10mm bolts. You'll have enough room for some double dutch in there

JUICE66

When you remove the drivers seat you can lay on the floor so you aren't trying to make your back bend backwards. Easier to reach your hands up under that way, & not break your back.

Apple395

Just did this a few days ago. Was a PITA, I eventually ended up just removing the whole "clutch bracket" (2 clutch cylinder nuts and 2 (or maybe 1-can't remember) nuts connecting to body.

Then just replace and put the whole thing back.

Oh and instead of buying the actual thigh (like $10) I got a little set at advanced auto for 1.30 that was just for dash stuff, but one part in it fit really good!

Good luck!

CIVIC98Manual

**SOLUTION**:

My car wouldn't start due to crumbled clutch interlock stopper pad which I found in pieces below dash. Impossible to access with fingers. Rather than try to rig up penny or bolt temp fix, I popped out other stopper pad from clutch pedal that is much more accessible and not having it installed only causes cruise control not to work (rather than car not start). Rather than attempt PITA removal of clutch assembly or bracket, I used the long screwdriver with double sided duct tape trick, sticking pedal stopper pad onto end of screwdriver, it was able to fit all the way up to its pedal destination hole. I had a bendy light positioned on other side of hole so that it illuminated the stopped pad point when I was on the mark. Then I pressed it in and really cranked down on it, using a lot of leverage on the screwdriver. I heard a loud pop and thought I had broken something but it had just popped right into hole and problem solved. Car starts fine and have ordered new pedal stopper pad off ebay for $5 to put in more accessible hole and get my cruise control back. Definitely requires awkward bending under the dash but doable and took a few minutes once I committed to screwdriver method.

Former User

Thanks.

Locked.