See this switch? Rather than acting as a clutch bypass I'd like it to power on my off-road lights. Is this a possibility? Has anyone done this?

 

I wouldn't, I use clutch by-pass regularly. There is plenty of run next to it to install next to clutch cancel both in surface and behind that section of dash..

 

I agree with muddpigg. Mine broke a couple of weeks ago and I miss it.

 

I would not give up my clutch safety cancel, either; I always start using it.
IF you have an extra THAT switch lying around, yes you could use it but it's too complicated a switch for your purpose, you would have to push it on each time you turn engine off, AND you would still need to use a relay to handle the current for your fogs.

 

^^ Exactly. If I am not mistaken, that switch should have some diodes, coils, and/or resistors inside that cannot handle that much current (or at least my 1987 FSM shows this, that newer switch probably works the same way but I would have to check the schematic).

**As a side note:

I believe this switch is the reason why Toyota started using starter relays and why you only see them on manual transmission models at first. Unfortunately, Toyota did not take advantage of the relay in earlier models to keep high current off of the ignition switch and lengthy wiring path and only used the relay coil as a path to ground for the clutch start and clutch start cancel switches so the high current for the starter solenoid does not go through these switches . This may not be the actual reason, but it is an observation I made.

 

It's a network of diodes, resistors and tiny relay meant to provide ground to starter relay until IG is turned off...
In fact, it's too much circuitry for what it's worth that IF that goes bad I would just bypass that and the cutch safety switch. ( I always start in neutral , anyway, and IIRC 1985 and earlier do not have clutch safety switch.)
(Ignore notes)

 

IF your motivation for using that switch is to avoid buying one for your fog lights, perhaps that is false economy.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Aude...311.0.0.qCinSy

 

Last night I cracked open my truck's manual. It says you should NEVER use the clutch bypass button to start the vehicle except in emergencies. Just thought you would all want to know since it seems you regularly start your trucks using that switch.

 

 

Why?

Yes.
My process, almost all the time:
1) Trans in neutral.
2) CSS ON
3) Start truck.
4) Adjust mirrors, seat, radio, nav, etc.
5) Clutch, First Gear, Drive.

IF I don't use CSS, process would be:
1) Press Clutch
2) Start Truck.
3) Put Trans in neutral
4) Release clutch
5) Adjust mirrors, seat, radio, nav, etc
6) Clutch, First Gear, Drive.
Steps 1, 3 and 4 are all wasted steps, and unnecessary wear on clutch system.

 

Yes, since the regular clutch pedal switch forces you to start the truck with the engine and transmission disconnected (clutch pedal pushed in) , it is safer and much better for Toyota to put the warning in the Owner's Manual for the switch for legal reasons. The Clutch Start Cancel Switch allows the user to easily leave the truck in gear, which could bring many lawsuits when unintended crashes happen....

 

Is the clutch bypass switch rated to take 15 amps of juice..doubt it.

plenty of other options to use for a switch .

wallytoo, scope and Rad4runner all have good points.

it been a few months since you last responded and opened your owners manual.
ever get your fog lights wired??

 

I doubt it. Its only to provide ground to coil of starter relay.
I can be used a switch, but it has electronics; you would have to power it before it can power something else. To complicated, More things to break. Just buy a $5 switch.

 

Uhhhhhhh, good question; the answer is NO. Got caught up in other things. Now I'm looking into recovery straps, recovery points, how to recover correctly/safely and all that. The lights I wanted to wire were the KC's up on my roll bar. They look pretty, but still aren't functional. However, I have made progress because I ran fresh wire through the roll bar.

 

Good question. I don't know. I tend to use the clutch cancel button myself, but I do have the leg strength to simply push my clutch in. I'll probably do that more often now.

 

Yes. I finally ran the wires. Got ahold of two KC light harnesses so I could wire up 4 lights on one switch per KC's diagram. Used KC's switch, not the clutch bypass. All is good. :-)

 

 

Clutch cancel switch is great to start the truck from outside when working on it or something like that! Just make sure you're in neutral first! I use it semi-frequently .