Brake and clutch switch wiring...why?

[GT_Rich]

The switches I received with my kit have a normally open and normally closed circuit. The directions indicate that one switch should be connected normally open, and the other normally closed. Why? In both cases, you want to close a circuit when pedal travel occurs. The clutch switch closes the start circuit and the brake switch closes a brake light circuit.

I have mine working, so not asking for help. Just wondering how Revision 4Q could have this wrong.

[edwardb]

Ideally, the clutch switch should be at the bottom of the clutch pedal stroke. So pushing the clutch pedal all the way down would close the switch and complete the start circuit. With a Coyote installation, it's set up that way. The stock setup with the clutch switch at the top and adjusted so the pedal holds the switch open (like the brake switch) is of questionable safety IMO since the clutch can still be fully engaged with the switch released. The brake switch on the other hand is at the top of the pedal stroke, and the arm holds the switch down until the pedal is pushed. Ideally one would be NC and the other NO. But you're right. Setup like the manual shows for a standard installation they would both use the same set of terminals.

[Mastertech5]

Good point! Many mass produced vehicles use a dual switch on the brake pedal, such as the FFR switch, that is normally open for brake lights and normally closed for torque converter lock up release when stepping on the pedal. I'm going to check mine now with an ohmmeter to see how these work.

[GT_Rich]

Ideally, the clutch switch should be at the bottom of the clutch pedal stroke. So pushing the clutch pedal all the way down would close the switch and complete the start circuit. With a Coyote installation, it's set up that way. The stock setup with the clutch switch at the top and adjusted so the pedal holds the switch open (like the brake switch) is of questionable safety IMO since the clutch can still be fully engaged with the switch released. The brake switch on the other hand is at the top of the pedal stroke, and the arm holds the switch down until the pedal is pushed. Ideally one would be NC and the other NO. But you're right. Setup like the manual shows for a standard installation they would both use the same set of terminals.

Yeap, the manual definitely contradicts itself. I also agree with the switch at the top of the clutch stroke, it is questionable from a safety aspect since the clutch is still engaged when the switch closes the circuit. However, for me, it's good enough to keep my four year old son from accidentally cranking the car. The same four year old that I struggled to keep away from your car at the LCS this past summer :)

I also added a hidden switch in this circuit that I can flip open to further ensure the car isn't started by anyone I don't want starting the car.

[Rian_Colorado]

Yeap, the manual definitely contradicts itself. I also agree with the switch at the top of the clutch stroke, it is questionable from a safety aspect since the clutch is still engaged when the switch closes the circuit. However, for me, it's good enough to keep my four year old son from accidentally cranking the car. The same four year old that I struggled to keep away from your car at the LCS this past summer :)

I also added a hidden switch in this circuit that I can flip open to further ensure the car isn't started by anyone I don't want starting the car.

"Me Too" with the extra switch. In fact, I just put in a momentary contact button that needs to be pressed in order to start the car every time.

I think that with the extra switch, that clutch switch is redundant. (of course, I still realize the car should be in neutral) No car had a "clutch switch" when I was growing up - so I find them annoying!

RR

[GThompson]

Would the switch at the top of travel be a “cancel” switch for vehicles with cruise control? As soon as you tap the brake or clutch you want to shut cruise off, right?

[Mastertech5]

Yes on shutting off the cruise. I've only seen one manual transmission car in my 40 years of wrenching with factory cruise control. He had to special order the car and it had to be installed at the dealership. Usually the shut off is on the brake switch.

[David Williamson]

I have had 3 manual cars with factory cruise and they all had switches to shut it off with a tap of the clutch or brake pedals. The oldest was an '85 T-Bird turbo and the last one was a BMW 335i
David W