Honda Fit Car 6MT 2016: Replace Clutch Interlock Switch

My Honda Fit six speed manual transmission 6MT has been very reliable these last 5 years. It is fuel efficient, the magic seats helps hauls stuff really well, and is very reliable. Recently when I’ve tried to start the car, I’d press the clutch, turn the key and the car would not start. If I fiddled with the clutch, up and down, it would then start. I’d charge the battery and even then the problem persisted. Pressing the clutch down before starting the car is a safety feature, so that if the car does start it does not accidentally lurch forward. This is a safety feature. The clutch interlock switch is depressed by the clutch, and the car starts. This is how to replace your clutch interlock switch.

The Honda part number is 36760-T5A-J01 switch assy, clutch (clutch pedal position switch A). Others call this a clutch interlock switch. My Honda dealership charged me $55.70CAD, 2021 June. The package part number matched the old part.

Honda Fit 2016, blue clutch interlock switch, which is behind the green clutch pedal position switch (black rectangle piece). Photo 8 by Don Tai

Honda Fit 2016, blue clutch interlock switch, Honda part number is 36760-T5A-J01 switch assy, clutch (clutch pedal position switch A). Photo 9 by Don Tai

Honda Fit 2016, blue clutch interlock switch (C), is behind the green clutch pedal position switch (black rectangle piece, B). It is difficult to see on the diagram, but the interlock switch (C) is behind the first switch (B).

The instructions for replacing the clutch interlock switch are pretty simple: remove the electrical connection, loosen a lock nut, replace the switch. The area and parts are clean. What was not written was that there are two ways of installing. Of course I did not know this when replacing mine. The first way is to remove the driver’s dash lower cover, view the area, and then use your hands to blindly feel for the part and then replace it. The other way is to reach down, blindly feel for the part and replace it, but leave the driver’s dash lower cover intact. Either way, you can’t really see the part to replace anyway, but that is not really a problem. The choice is yours.

Here’s how I removed the driver’s dash lower and then replaced the clutch interlock switch. I did not break any plastic tabs, did not damage any plastic covers, it was pretty easy and quick.

Tools required:
-plastic pry tool: to remove the initial side panel
-needle nose pliers: to compress and remove a plastic wire tiedown
-8mm ratchet driver, long
-17mm hex wrench: loosen the switch’s lock nut
-mat on the ground. You will be kneeling on the ground

Remove the left side panel
From the driver’s side, take your plastic pry tool and wedge it into the side panel. The panel has some plastic tabs that are pressed into the dash. The panel is easily removed. There is the door gasket that will need fiddling with, but the panel should easily come free.

Honda Fit 2016, remove the driver’s side lower. Remove side panel by prying it up. Photo 1 by Don Tai

Honda Fit 2016, remove the driver’s side lower. After you remove side panel by prying it up. Photo 2 by Don Tai

Remove the Driver’s Lower bolt, Pull the Panel Away
On the bottom of the driver’s side lower there is an 8mm bolt, philips head. I used an 8mm hex head, long and a ratchet. There’s not much space for a regular screwdriver, as the door blocks the way. Once the bolt is removed, from the panel bottom you can start pulling on the panel to loosen the tabs. The panel will rotate upwards and away.

Honda Fit 2016, remove the driver’s side lower. Driver side lower panel is loose. Photo 3 by Don Tai

I do notice that there is a lot of empty space inside the driver’s side lower area. There is a metal sling with nothing inside. Perhaps you could put a secret compartment in there with a magnet?

Remove the ABS Switch cable From the Lower Panel
I have an ABS switch on the left side, you may have more. These cable connectors have a little tab that you press and they will come free. The ABS switch cable also has a cable tie down on the panel. Use your needle nose pliers to compress the plastic tie down and it will come free. You will need to reinstall this so don’t damage it. The panel is now free.

Honda Fit 2016, remove the driver’s side lower. Remove the ABS cable. Photo 4 by Don Tai

Honda Fit 2016, remove the driver’s side lower. Remove the ABS cable. Photo 5 by Don Tai

Remove the old Clutch Interlock Switch
This is the blind part. Put a mat on the ground and kneel down. You’ll see a green rectangular upright box, which is not the switch you want. The clutch interlock switch is behind it and is blue. Reach back behind the green switch, to the blue one, and with your left hand, blind, find the cable, press the plastic tab and release the connector for the blue clutch interlock switch. This is the hardest part. Use a 17mm open ended wrench to loosen the lock nut, and unscrew the blue clutch interlock switch from the bracket. Loosening the lock nut does not take much, only a 1/4 turn, and is not very tight.

Honda Fit 2016, Replace the blue clutch interlock switch, which is behind the green clutch pedal position switch (black rectangle piece). Photo 6 by Don Tai

Honda Fit 2016, Replace the clutch interlock switch, which is behind the green clutch pedal position switch (black rectangle piece). Photo 7 by Don Tai

Install the New Clutch Interlock Switch
Loosen the nut on the new clutch interlock switch to match the position of the lock nut on the old switch.

The second hardest part of this installation is screwing back in the new clutch interlock switch. Again blind, you can’t see it, so you’ll need to feel your way around and screw it in. Once threaded, turn it down into the bracket, then tighten the lock nut with a 17mm wrench, not too tight.

Again blind, reinsert the clutch interlock switch cable into the top. The connector is rectangular, so this helps with the orientation. There are no photos because, all this was done blind anyway.

Start the car to ensure the new clutch interlock switch works.

Reinstall the Driver’s side lower panel
Reinstall the ABS connector and cable tie down. Hook the top tabs of the panel into the dash, hinge downward and snap in the plastic clips. This was a bit fiddly for me, but be patient. Reinstall the 8mm bolt on the side, reinstall the side panel. You are done. Pat yourself on the back.