No Start No Crank fix (For $2)

[krayzielilsmoki]

I've been dealing with this issue on and off for a few months now where I would turn the key and nothing happens.
The radio, AC, lights, and everything else would be on, but the car would not crank.
No sound from the starter, no click or anything.

It was not my battery, battery was new.
It was not the starter, I didn't hear a click so the starter wasn't even being powered.

If I left it alone for a day or so the car would turn on, and then turn on just fine for a few days before not starting again.

My guess is that it was something to do with the clutch sensor switch. The switch is about $20 on ebay, but hard to get to, so I found a way to bypass it.

All you need is a jumper wire which you can make for about $2 and it should bypass the clutch safety switch and the car will turn on.

Here is a quick video I made to explain what I did:


I haven't seen anyone else take this route and I've seen a lot of ppl hit dead ends diagnosing this issue.
This bypasses the T20 30 Amp - Start Prevention with Robotized Gearbox Relay.

Hope this helps someone else!


Fiat_500_Clutch_Interlock_Bypass_mod.jpg

[map]

Great video and thank you for posting. It's really helpful. I'd be curious if you can crank, let off before it starts, then try again w/o turning the key off. That having to turn the key off for the second try is a pain... would let us know if there's a relay in the ECM that interrupts cranking.

It sounds like that leaves you with one diagnosis, if you want it back to factory.

[fast_dave]

@krayzielilsmoki

Just sayin' brother,

What you're running into has been discussed previously on the forum as recently as a year or two back,
but I'm too lazy to deal w/ the search feature

Basically, the switch that is causing this no start/no crank condition has either worn internally, OR externally (it's plastic on plastic contact with the clutch arm),
OR a combination of both electrical & mechanical wear.

One guy on the forum "built up" the corresponding contact point on the plastic clutch arm that comes in contact with the purple arm on the switch, to get the switch to "work".

I use quotations around the word WORK because that isn't by any means a proper fix, I am using it as an example of another workaround that have been posted.

This is one of those nanny devices that I agree with - it is a LAST CHANCE SAFETY ITEM that I would not recommend bypassing for other than testing purposes.

Anyways - there are many different names cited for this switch, but Mopar calls it a Clutch Starter Interlock switch.

It's about 15 - $20 + Shipping at any Tasca, Moparonline, etc...

Hope this helps -

Switch-Clutch Starter Interlock - Mopar (68073611AB)

shopping.png

[Fiat500USA]

I just got one of these from Rock Auto 20 minutes ago! It is a PITA to change, so I am going to check this $2 fix out. Thanks for posting this!

[Alisobob]

@krayzielilsmoki

just sayin' brother,



this is a last chance safety item that i would not recommend bypassing for other than testing purposes.

Hero

[Fiat500USA]

@krayzielilsmoki


just sayin' brother,






this is a last chance safety item that i would not recommend bypassing for other than testing purposes.

That's actually a good point. In the era of "caution, this hot coffee is hot", let's label that for diagnostic testing purposes only.

[map]

I'd agree with diagnosis-only, if you have kids. In 2002 my Sidekick was hit by a run-away car. Her daughter turned on the ignition to listen to music and accidentally started the car in gear.

[Sp949]

krayzielilsmoki,
thank you, thank you, thank you!
My clutch interlock switch still works, but I find it extremely annoying having to press the clutch pedal even when it is in Neutral. I have bypassed the switch on my previous standard transmission cars, but it is not very practical on the 500 for accessibility reasons. My only concern is: does this mod cause a malfunction code from the ECU, and does the cruise control disengage if you press the clutch pedal to downshift when approaching a hill?

[map]

An excellent question. I can see a problem either way. Either cruise doesn't work or it stays on. At a guess, it uses different contacts for cruise so no problem, but it'll be interesting to find out.

[Sp949]

The normal operation would indicate that, since the clutch stays normally engaged during cruising, I would believe that the cruise would remain on, unless you either shut it off from the steering wheel or tap the brake. But my only concern is that the ECU may not like it, and may throw a code and/or a warning message.
But, removing the relay and replacing it with jumper wire and testing the system should not cause any harm. It is, of course, advisable to return the circuit to stock if you sell the car; the next owner may have an accident in no time. I made this mod to my old 1992 Plymouth minivan equipped with a 5-speed, but removed the jumper before trading it in.