clutch going bad or clutch starter switch - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

fmhnails · 11-13-2007, 01:54 PM

I have a 1993 5 speed Celica.. although it has 175,000 miles on it, it has been very good to me and I love it. problem I am having is when I start the car. Lately I have had to press the clutch in several times and all the way to the floor to get it to engage to start the car. I have not noticed any slipping of the clutch (what exactly would the sypmtoms be I am not positive lol) I am just wondering if this means my clutch is going bad or the clutch starter switch. Sorry but I am a girl (LOL) with little mechanical knowledge and desperately looking for help here, as I hate going blind to a mechanic. Believe it or not I drive my car back and forth to Montreal Canada every two or three weeks ( a 5 hour drive one way) and I am in fear of exactly what happens when the clutch goes... would it be gradual or will it just go when I am driving? Any assistance and-or guidance would be GREATLY appreciated.

aolteach · 11-13-2007, 02:18 PM

If your clutch goes, it will most likey go slowly. I have a 92 GT-S and it slipped for over a year before I replaced the clutch. You'll notice on hills when the rpms are down slightly, and you go to give it gas. Watch the RPM gauge and compare it to how much the car actually increases in speed. You'll also hear the engine. The engine will rev up, but you're not going any faster.
Slipping of the clutch and the safety start switch will two different problems. I just took a quick look at mine. It's mounted to the firewall behind the clutch pedal. As the pedal comes down it will depress a button. As long as the switch is still good, it shouldn't be too much to have it looked at.

fmhnails · 11-13-2007, 02:28 PM

thank you so much for your QUICK reply!!!
I am still in Montreal and heading back to US next week and was afraid to drive it back... but I guess I should be ok as I would much rather have it looked at back there. Thank you again, will go outside and see if I can see the clutch safety switch button you mentioned.

fmhnails · 11-13-2007, 04:48 PM

stupid question I know but...is the safety switch button you mention inside the car under the carpet or what, I am not sure where the firewall is lol

aolteach · 11-13-2007, 05:20 PM

No problem. The firewall is basically the metal wall between you and the engine compartment. The dash, steering wheel, and everything else hangs off it.....

Take the clutch with your hand and push it as far as it'll go to the floor. The first thing the clutch pedal will hit will be the clutch start switch. It's a little button that looks like it has a big gold bolt wrapped around it.

fmhnails · 12-03-2007, 09:36 AM

ok regarding my last post... well now can't start the car.... when I push the clutch in, I hear the clutch click but car won't do anything... dash lites (ie battery engine etc) come on as if I am starting but engine wont do a thing.
Can I push it to pop start it so I can get it to a garage? I am currently in Montreal in the middle of a snowstorm and standed... Help please I am supposed to be back to work in NY tomorrow! Is this the start sfety switch or something else... ANY help as soon as possible would be great!
Thanks felicia

evo · 12-03-2007, 12:04 PM

could be your starter relay or your starter (try tap your starter with the back end of a screwdriver)

http://www.wikihow.com/Push-Start-a-Car

fmhnails · 12-03-2007, 12:18 PM

not sure if it has anything to do with it or if I just got lucky.... but if I spent about 3 to 5 minutes pumping th clutch in ( but not completely to the floor) it started... after running it for a bit I turned it off and ofcourse did not start right a way but if I pumped the clutch a few times it did start again on about the third time... still think it might be starter?