Tacoma Starting Problem Questions

**harpo-the-skier** · 08-04-2006, 12:52 PM

I am having trouble starting my 100,000 mile 2000 6 cyl. Manual TRD Tacoma, and have some questions. I just read the thread on problems to look for in used Tacos but my question was not answered there.

To start the Taco, I either have to pop the clutch or press the "Disengage Clutch Start" button. The truck makes not clicks or other sounds if I just depress the clutch and turn the key. I went to the mechanic I always go to who said it might be the battery (jump starting didn't work), and since this was probably right after 100,000 miles, 6 years with no new battery, I did that, but that didn't help.

The clutch works fine for shifting the gears when I am driving.

At this point, I am pressing the Disengage Cluch Start button, while the clutch is depressed and the car is in neutral to start it. My question is: Should I just keep starting the car this way and avoid taking the car into my mechanic for a futher check up? Am I doing any damage to the truck by starting this way? Is there a potential for other serious problems that could strand me or worse if I don't fix this now?

I don't do much of my own work on the truck, and I would like to avoid paying the mechanic until I have to.

**lemon boy** · 08-04-2006, 01:08 PM

toss it in neutral and without depressing the clutch try starting it if that doesn't work then try the same but using the DCSbutton. If it starts then I would say you have a faulty clutch safety switch or the sensor (should be a simple contact of some sort) is goofed up.

**MakersTeleMark** · 08-04-2006, 01:30 PM

Does it ever stay on after you turn off the key?

BLOOD SWEAT STEEL · 08-04-2006, 01:54 PM

Sounds like your neutral safety or clutch cancel switch is shorted. Try this: Unplug the switch at the sensor on the clutch pedal. Jump the two remaining terminals on the pedal assembly with a short piece of wire and try to start just like any other manual vehicle. If it works; you need a new NSS. If it doesn't, my next guess is the clutch cancel start switch, then ignition switch in that order.

**funkendrenchman** · 08-04-2006, 08:23 PM

Fix it and sell it to me.

**harpo-the-skier** · 08-05-2006, 09:42 AM

My main question that hasn't been answered yet is: Do I need to fix it? I can get it to start every time by using the clutch start cancel button, and to fix it I would have to take it to a mechanic, which I would rather avoid. Am I doing any damage by using the clutch start cancel button every time I start the truck?

**Keoni** · 08-05-2006, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by harpo-the-skier

I went to the mechanic I always go to who said it might be the battery (jump starting didn't work), and since this was probably right after 100,000 miles, 6 years with no new battery, I did that, but that didn't help.

You need to find a new mechanic

BLOOD SWEAT STEEL · 08-05-2006, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by harpo-the-skier

My main question that hasn't been answered yet is: Do I need to fix it? I can get it to start every time by using the clutch start cancel button, and to fix it I would have to take it to a mechanic, which I would rather avoid. Am I doing any damage by using the clutch start cancel button every time I start the truck?

No, it won't damage anything. Sooner or later though, you're gonna burn up that switch and have to replace it anyways.