mayfair Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Hi all I have been having some issues starting my 350. When I turn the key it won't start but if I pump the clutch it will fire up. I have replaced the battery and cleaned the terminals. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice as to what the problem could be. I was thinking the clutch switch or starter motor? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmck13 Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 I know this is obvious but you do know you have to hold the clutch down and hold it there before you start the car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 As above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mouthwash Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 I'll wait to see how this develops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 I have the same issue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooch Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Dodgy switch on the clutch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brillomaster Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 +1 on needing to depress the clutch. Also be sure you press the clutch all the way down - I find the clutch gets a little heavier in the last 10% of movement, which means I occasionally don't press it enough to be able to start the car on the first try (normally after I've been driving my fiancées car which has a very light clutch pedal) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brillomaster Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 also it never ceases to amaze me how many people have the seat so far back that they are unable to fully depress the clutch pedal! if that's you, put the seat forward an inch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 That switch was the first thing I eliminated when I got my car....most annoying feature ever!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayfair Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share Posted October 23, 2014 hehe yeah I have plenty of experience driving said 350 but no so much troubleshooting as this is the first thing that has gone wrong on it in 3.5 years. I have been holding the clutch all the way down. When pumping I make sure to get it all the way down too. If it is the switch what would be the best way to replace/bypass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 You can bypass the switch by simply removing the two connectors on the switch and connect them together, you need to leave the switch itself in place as it acts as the return limit adjuster for the clutch pedal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulletMagnet Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 I'm guessing the bypass would upset the operation of Cruise Control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 I'm guessing the bypass would upset the operation of Cruise Control. No sure TBH, I dint have it, however I would have thought that once the engine is running the interlock switch is cut out of the circuit by the ECU, but I would have to check the manual, it would also be easy to check with a multimeter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 I'm guessing the bypass would upset the operation of Cruise Control. No sure TBH, I dint have it, however I would have thought that once the engine is running the interlock switch is cut out of the circuit by the ECU, but I would have to check the manual, it would also be easy to check with a multimeter. If you dip the clutch with the cruise control on it deactivates it, I'd guess having the switch disabled would do the same. If the OP doesn't have cruise obviously it wouldn't be an issue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brillomaster Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 this clutch switch cleaning and adjusting article says the cruise control is on a different switch - also the cruise deactivates when you slightly depress the clutch - whereas the engine will only start when you fully depress the clutch, which suggests different switches. http://my350z.com/fo...and-adjust.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmck13 Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 hehe yeah I have plenty of experience driving said 350 but no so much troubleshooting as this is the first thing that has gone wrong on it in 3.5 years. I have been holding the clutch all the way down. When pumping I make sure to get it all the way down too. If it is the switch what would be the best way to replace/bypass? As it was your first post, you never know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 this clutch switch cleaning and adjusting article says the cruise control is on a different switch - also the cruise deactivates when you slightly depress the clutch - whereas the engine will only start when you fully depress the clutch, which suggests different switches. http://my350z.com/fo...and-adjust.html Interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayfair Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share Posted October 23, 2014 this clutch switch cleaning and adjusting article says the cruise control is on a different switch - also the cruise deactivates when you slightly depress the clutch - whereas the engine will only start when you fully depress the clutch, which suggests different switches. http://my350z.com/fo...and-adjust.html Thanks for the guide. I will have a good read of it and see whether cleaning improves it. Yeah I do have cruise so that was a concern for me but I guess you are right and they could potentially be different switches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayfair Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share Posted October 23, 2014 hehe yeah I have plenty of experience driving said 350 but no so much troubleshooting as this is the first thing that has gone wrong on it in 3.5 years. I have been holding the clutch all the way down. When pumping I make sure to get it all the way down too. If it is the switch what would be the best way to replace/bypass? As it was your first post, you never know. Hehe I am sure it wouldn't have been the first time someone had done something similar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kano Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 The main reason why you depress the clutch on starting is to take some load off the starter motor. If you remove the clutch switch you could end up with starting issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIXXERUK Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 The main reason why you depress the clutch on starting is to take some load off the starter motor. If you remove the clutch switch you could end up with starting issues. The 370 will start with either the clutch or brake pressed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 The main reason why you depress the clutch on starting is to take some load off the starter motor. If you remove the clutch switch you could end up with starting issues. The 370 will start with either the clutch or brake pressed It's so that if you start it in gear you don't smash through your garage door. It makes no difference to the starter motor as it's spinning the flywheel, which has no load if the car is in neutral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 The main reason why you depress the clutch on starting is to take some load off the starter motor. If you remove the clutch switch you could end up with starting issues. The 370 will start with either the clutch or brake pressed It's so that if you start it in gear you don't smash through your garage door. It makes no difference to the starter motor as it's spinning the flywheel, which has no load if the car is in neutral. As above, I think it was devised in America, If it was to avoid wear on the starter there would be an awful lot of dead starter motors about, as it a fairly recent addition, in fact its proved detrimental on some cars by causing premature wear on the crankshaft thrust bearing on some makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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