I did a little work on the clutch pedal switch that disables the starter and thought I'd take some pics and describe the job in case any other ZF lovers out there wanted to get rid of theirs. It takes very little time and is completely reversible if you decide to leave it for the 'safety factor'. I heard someone say that it may disable the cruise control but I have an XL so I can't say if it does or not. It is quick and easy to return to its original position if you try it and it does turn off the cruise.

1) First remove the switch from the actuator rod. (hard to get to and I couldn't get a camera in there to get a pic, sorry) There's a large plug in the top with several wires but the only hard part is getting your hand in position so you can get the screwdriver or knife blade to it. After removing the plug pull the switch backwards just enough so it will rotate on the rod. When you rotate the top towards you there is room to get a screwdriver or knife blade to the flat tabs on either side, when you pry the tabs up the bottom of the switch will come off easily.
This pic shows the tabs on the side of the switch, they are thin and move easy.



2)In that same pic you can see a tab at the front of the switch, there is one on either side that hold the end in place. Pull these two tabs and pull the end away (the two springs inside are fairly strong for their size so don't let them shoot across the yard/shop).



3)Now all you do is take the white piece of plastic that the springs used to hold to the back of the switch and move it to the front.


4)Now slide the springs back onto the 'legs' behind the white piece (don't know what else to call it?)


5)Snap the end back on the main body, make sure to get the points on the legs in the holes at the other end.



6)Now either reinstall the switch back on the clutch rod and plug it in or just plug it in and tuck it out of the way under the dash so it's easy to get to if you want to return it to original. If you have cruise I would suggest not installing it back on the clutch rod at least until after you drive it and find out if it effects the cruise or not. If you don't reinstall it on the rod remember to replace the bottom before plugging it back in.

It's much easier than it sounds and it took a lot longer to write this up than it did to do the work on the clutch! I just didn't want to leave anything out, if anyone decides to do this you will see that it's pretty self explanetory once you get that switch out. I would suggest making an appointment with a chiropractor before starting this though, the work is easy but you'll have a dislocated back and shoulder when you finally get your arm up there to unplug that switch (unless you have some kind of cool mutant powers). I've only had it done for one day and already love not having to hold the clutch every time I start the truck.

 

Good post. Looks easy enough. Thanks and Reps.

 

id love to know if this does or doesnt effect the cruise control
maybe ill ill be the test rat tomorrow

 

Nice job on the write up and pics. I've changed that sensor before, but never paid any attention to it other than to notice the broken springs inside.

I'm no electrical guru, but I'm guessing the cruise will not work since pushing in your clutch pedal (which this mod is about defeating) will disengage the cruise.

 

Nice write up, thanks. My cruise stopped working a while back anyways.

 

See those two springs inside the CPP in his picture? If your springs look like this



Then that would be why your cruise doesn't work. The replacement part is only around $30 at autozoo, or just do the mod and find out what happens. You don't have anything to lose at this point.

 

Why didn't the O/P just build a small jumper harness?

Pop

 

Great write up!

Pop- When we replaced my master assembly we spent a fair amount of time testing which wires to hook together to bypass the switch... We tried every combo we could and came up with nothing.... Except for one that caused the starter to keep running (figure that one out)... This was me and Peter (Duck_Fan) With the help of Jim (Megawatt) on the phone... Another thing to consider about doing this mod is that if you still have and like your EBPV hooked up it wont work...

 

How many wires are in the plug that this plugs into?

According to the wiring diagram, there are only two.
http://www.e-toolbox.com/ads/wiring/va131441.pdf

Are there more than two on this one?

According to that diagram, every auto-trans truck has one of these jumpers in the harness in place of the clutch switch.

Pop

 

haha, our '92 diesel had a pencil jammed in the position switch and one morning I fired her up and realized 1. The truck was in 1st, and 2. I was standing outside of the truck. haha don't do that. On second thought, thats why my cruise didn't ever work..hmmmm

 

There are several wires in this plug, I don't remember exactly but I'd say four to six. I don't know what a jumper harness is and I hate dealing with wires, this was easy to do and easy to undo if your so inclined. I don't have cruise and am going to delete my ebpv since it's leaking. I did this to my switch and drove the truck up to 100 mph with no problems, or lights anywhere so I figured it was ok. I would like to know if the cruise still works though since I've looked into putting it in my truck.

 

Good reason! Some folks just aren't cut out for dealing with electrons, and this mechanical solution works just as well!

Pop

 

Pop As I remember there were six wires...

I agree I hate dealing with wiring and this is an easy way of doing it...

 

anyoone know if it does affect the cruise?

 

Just curious here. . . why do you want to deactivate this switch?
Timmy