2000 Jetta TDI. Do I need to push the clutch to start it?

[fatmobile]

I was thinking there was supposed to be a starter lockout switch for the clutch peddle.
And was thinking there used to be.
But lately I've been able to start the car without pushing the clutch, even when it's in gear.
Is that normal, is there something that needs fixed and where is it?

The reverse lights were staying on, so I disconnected the plug on the reverse light switch on the trany until I get a good one,
but I think that's unrelated..

 

[irvingj]

Don't know about the reverse switch/light, but yes, as far as I know it was back in the late 70s when ALL manual transmission cars required the clutch to be pushed in before the starter would engage. (On occasion, it was handy, in my '72 Blazer, that pushing the clutch in was NOT necessary for starting....)

 

[Zak99b5]

My son said he can start his 2000 Jetta without stepping on the clutch. He bought it from the original owner, who was a member here. She didn't seem the type to do that kind of a mod.

 

[Bradm]

My 03 can be started without the clutch also and, i also bought it from the original owner who I couldn’t see them modifying that.

 

[csstevej]

Question……..was the car converted from an auto to a manual? Could be who ever done it didn’t install the clutch switch , I know when I did on mine I didn’t .

 

[irvingj]

Interesting! I've not driven every kind of car, but everything I've seen since the late 70s that was manual required a clutch-interlock device of some sort. Maybe not European cars until later? I guess most of what I drove was either US or Japanese. I really don't remember if my old Rabbits (1979, 1982) required the clutch to be in or not, but I thought so.

 

[jokila]

It's supposed to require it.

 

[P2B]

All manual transmission MK4 cars left the factory with a clutch interlock.

 

[Nevada_TDI]

My 2001 5 speed Jetta has a interlock switch.

 

[turbodieseldyke]

B4 passats don't have it, but Mk3 jettas do.

 

[J_dude]

I really don't remember if my old Rabbits (1979, 1982) required the clutch to be in or not, but I thought so.

My ‘81 does not require the clutch to start, but that doesn’t mean much, since I have no idea how many owners it has had...
My ‘03 Jetta is the only vehicle I own that still has the clutch interlock hooked up actually. Lol

 

[fatmobile]

Thanks for the responses.
Sounds like it's supposed to have one,..
but mine isn't the only one that doesn't.
I think I used to have to push the clutch on this car for the starter to spin.
It has always been a manual car.
Where is the switch supposed to be? I suppose it's on the clutch peddle right?
Does it trigger a relay?

 

[irvingj]

IIRC (I had to change one once), the clutch pedal has two switches on it, switches that are very easy to damage if they're not put in correctly. In my case, my cruise control stopped working due to a hairline crack in one of the teensy switch blades -- had to use a magnifying glass to see it. VAG-COM can tell you if they're working. Do you have CC? (Does it work?) I'm guessing one of those switches triggers the starter interlock.

If you remove the plastic shield under the dash, you should be able to see the switches mounted behind the clutch pedal arm (and brake arm, it has one too).

 

[P2B]

Cruise switch is normally closed and usually blue. Starter interlock switch is normally open and usually black.

 

[KrashDH]

For another data point, I don't have to push the clutch in to start with my 02 Golf. Everything else works as it should

 

[jayb79]

my 02 Golf Switch quit working about 5 years ago

 

[fatmobile]

It's nice that when they quit working we can still start the car.
Instead of being stuck in a parking lot, because of one safety switch.
I don't have cruise control in this 2000 Jetta.

I already have the cover off because the brake light switch quit working recently,
so I pulled that out, cleaned the contacts and put it back in.
I'm not sure when the safety switch stopped working.
Maybe I bumped it when playing with the brake switch.