Hey guys,

I own an 03 Honda Element EX 4WD w/ a 5MT (manual), and have recently experienced a new problem that's becomming more and more frequent. When I go to start the car, there is pause from the time I turn the key to, to the time the starter begins cranking. At best it's about a half second. At worst, the pause can be up to 5 seconds.

There doesn't seem to be any sort of trouble with the battery or charging system. Once the starter decides to fire, it fires just like normal. A little researched revealed that it's probably just a lazy clutch switch.

My question to you: Which of the two switches on the clutch pedal control the starter disable? The switch that gets pressed when the clutch is in, or out?

 

For future reference: I believe it turned out to be the clutch switch was not adjusted properly. I bought a replacement part. But when I went to install it, I found the original switch was barely being pushed on by the clutch pedal when fully depressed. I loosened the jam nut and turned the switch until the clutch pedal was pressing almost all the way in. Since that day, I never had trouble starting the truck.

I've since sold the car. For damn good money too...