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HOWTO: Clutch Interlock Bypass

49K views 26 replies 17 participants last post by  SN95GT50 
#1 ·
For safety sake, clutch based vehicles come with a system that requires you to press the clutch so you can start the vehicle. This is great for normal operation, but not really desireable for offroad. i.e. how many times have you been facing up to the sky, stalled the engine, had to push the clutch to start the engine, and had the rig bounce or roll back when you do?

Here's how to bypass the clutch interlock.

*disclaimer* The notes below are for an '03 TJ. Your rig is likely different...check the owners manual.

According to the owner's manual for my '03 TJ, to bypass the clutch interlock, simply pull the spare 20amp fuse from position 19 in the fuse panel behind the glove box and put it in position 20.


That is it. You are done.

However, I wanted to make it a switchable thing where I didn't have to move fuses and whatnot while stalled on a 132 degree incline.

Here's what you'll need. I picked up my stuff at O'Reilly for just under $8 bux.
- 1 box of 20amp fuses (I didn't have any spares...$2.59)
- 1 mini fuse holder ($1.79)
- 1 red rocker switch ($2.99)
also a couple feet of spare 14guage wire and various connectors

The wiring diagram looks as follows:


So...here we go. The full install should take less than 1/2 an hour...

1. Find a good location to mount your switch. I used one of the available ones above the cig lighter.

2. Make sure the mini fuse holder does not have a fuse in it (you'll add that later)

3. Connect the 'power' lead from the rocker switch to one of poles in position 20 of the fuse box

4. Connect the 'accessory' lead from the rocker switch to the mini fuse holder

5. Connect the other side of the mini fuse holder to the other pole of position 20 in the fuse box


NOTE: don't know if it is the best way, but I purposely blew one of the 20amp fuses and wedged it in place to hold the wires in the fuse box. (let me know if you know of a better way...)


6. Connect the 'ground' lead from the rocker switch to a good ground source (I tapped the cig lighter)

7. Put a 20amp fuse in the mini fuse holder.

8. Test it out:
- pull the e-brake
- make sure you are not in gear
- with the switch in the off position and your foot off the clutch, try to start the vehicle. It should not start. This is the normal operating position.
- turn the switch on, and try again. The Jeep should start.

9. Put everything back together.

Here's the end result for mine:


In case you are curious; the switches are:


There ya go
 
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#4 ·
This is dumb, but why wouldnt I be able to view the photos that you have posted for the installation of your clutch override switch. Is there something wrong with my browser, what type of tech problem am I having, I sure would like to be able to see photos on this forum, can anyone help?
 
#5 ·
1997 was the only year you had to move around the switch plugs. All following years were a fuse.

Just leave the fuse in all the time and call it done. I've had the clutch interlock bypassed since day one. I always have the parking brake on so the 1 or 2 times I've accidentally tried to start it in gear it does nothing but rock the jeep forward and inch or two.
 
#7 ·
1997 was the only year you had to move around the switch plugs. All following years were a fuse.
Moving a connecter came back in later years. My 2004 makes you move a connector.

I agree on leaving the interlock bypassed. Car and truck clutches never needed interlocks before the lawyers got involved.
 
#13 ·
You could have used the Dome Light Switch Quadratec sells and achieved a similar result.

TJ Dome Light Switch | Jeep Parts and Accessories | Quadratec
Why bother when there's no need to switch back & forth? It is only in recent history that the lawyers forced manufacturers to install things like the clutch interlock switch. Even my mother, her mother, and her mother's mother knew you had to step on the clutch pedal or shift into Neutral before starting the engine. It is only since the lawyers got those interlock switches added where that basic part of driving is no longer learned.
 
#24 ·
I’m not sure how it actually works either. I have an automatic so can’t verify this but here is what the 2005 Owner’s Manual has to say.

Clutch Interlocking Ignition System
Manual transmission vehicles are equipped with a clutch
interlock safety feature. With this feature engaged, you
must depress the clutch pedal to allow cranking of the
engine. To temporarily bypass this safety feature while
off-road driving (4L range only), which will allow cranking
the engine without depressing the clutch, follow
these steps:
1. Locate the Power Distribution Center (PDC) in the
engine compartment. Refer to “Fuse Panel” in Section 7
of this manual.
2. Put a 10 Amp fuse in the PDC cavity (#28) marked as
Clutch Override.
NOTE: A fuse is provided in fuseblock cavity (f19 or
f20) marked as Spare.
3. Be sure to re-engage the clutch interlock safety feature
by following these steps in reverse order when you are
finished off-road driving.

It seems that somewhere I have read the Rubicons are different but not sure how & the FSM/owner’s manuals are known to occasionally be wrong. However for sure you should be able to unplug the connector from the clutch switch & jump across the 2 terminals of the connector to bypass it. And you won’t need to be in 4LO either.

Also since you suspect the ignition actuator (more common than the clutch switch failing) here is a simple way to check it & even start it if the pin is broken without having to disassemble the whole key cylinder/actuator/ignition switch assembly.


https://www.wranglerforum.com/f210/...-to-actuate-starter-2361609.html#post34327165
 
#25 ·
After thinking about it the PCM would only know when the tcase was in 4Lo if it's a Rubicon. Only the Rubicon has a sensor that tells the PCM what position the shifter is in. A standard 231 sensor only indicates when it's in 4x4, 4Hi and 4Lo.

I'd take the above advice and jumper the connector for the clutch interlock switch.
 
#26 ·
Best way to defeat the clutch interlock is buy a YJ. Along with the non-interlock, you get the luxurious ride of leaf springs and no air bags to worry about.
And, best of all, square headlights.

Good Luck, L.M.
 
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#27 ·
On my 2005 X, putting the fuse in works, but also turns on the 4wd light. If left in for a long period, weeks, the 4wd light goes out and it no longer works. Remove fuse for a period and the reinsert, 4wd light comes on and bypass works.

Not sure if true for all non-Rubi 2005s or just the quirks of mine.

Nice in the winter, dont have to climb in to warm it up while scrsping.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
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