My 2016 Fit 6MT has been really reliable, though we don't really drive very much. These last 15 months we've been locked down due to the pandemic, so our trips are 3-4km /1-2 miles each way, 2-3 times a week. Lately I'd press the clutch to start the car, but I'd only hear a click and the starter would not engage. If I keep pressing and releasing the clutch to varying degrees of depth, it would then quickly start. Pressing the clutch before starting is a safety feature so that you don't start and the car suddenly lurches forward. The clutch interlock switch tells the car that you've pressed the clutch pedal. I believe this is the cause of my issues, so I've replaced it. The car has the original battery, going on 4.5 years now, so might need replacing soon, but for now starting has been not a problem.

The clutch interlock switch (part # 36760-T5A-J01, Switch Assy, Clutch, clutch pedal position switch A, $55.70CAD, 2021 Jun) is just above the clutch pedal. Some instructions say to remove the driver's side lower panel, but you don't need to. Removed or not, I could not see the clutch interlock switch anyway, but you can replace it by feel alone.





Removing the driver's side lower may give you more room, so I removed it. I used these instructions from FitFreak. The left side panel is pried off, then there's an 8mm bolt at the bottom, then the panel can be raised up from the bottom and off.





Once the left side ABS connector and cable tie is then removed, the panel is free.



Look for a green topped rectangle, the clutch position switch, near the clutch. Behind this is the blue clutch interlock switch. I don't have a photo because it is blocked by the clutch position switch and I could not see it. No matter.




You'll need kneel on the ground, so get a mat. Reach behind the green clutch position switch to the blue (you can't see it) clutch interlock switch, and disconnect the cable connector. Then use a 17mm hex wrench to loosen the lock nut. You only need a 1/4 turn to loosen it. Unscrew the clutch interlock switch. Match the old switch lock nut position to the new one. The hardest part of this procedure is rethreading the new clutch interlock switch into the hole, as you can't see it. Tighten the 17mm hex lock nut, replace the cable connector and try starting.

No broken tabs, no damaged plastic. It took about 30 minutes, but I was going slow. Really you don't need to remove the driver's side lower because the whole procedure uses feel and is done blind anyway.

 

Did you ever test the old switch? I kinda have the same issue where the car won't start, I get no clicking noises and I have checked the starter at a local autozone (works fine). I also have checked all relays and fuses, I tried to clean the push-button start using wd-40 and still won't start. My last gasp is the clutch interlock switch.

 

WD-40 is designed to flush water and dirt out of metal assemblies, and to provide some temporary rust protection. It will flush away other lubricants then slowly evaporate, leaving nothing but residues. Despite what the company says, it's not a lubricant. It's not a good solution for electrical contacts, or plastics, or paint. Go back, open up the switch and wipe off the WD-40. Spray it down with some plastics-safe electrical contact cleaner to make sure you got it all, then apply a light coat of silicone dielectric grease to the metal parts. There's all-in-one contact cleaner + silicone products available, but that will be messy when trying to clean out the WD-40.