"Push Clutch To Start" Bypass Harness

***Please note, this is not a for sale post...I am aware of the rules!***

Hi guys. I have been told to post on here regarding a product I am developing, which basically stops you having to press the clutch to start the engine.

I have already developed a similar product for the Mk5/6 VW Golf VAG platform ( it also works on Audi 8P A3/S3, Audi 8J TT/TTS/TTRS, VW Golf mk5+6, VW Scirocco mk3, VW EOS, VW Passat B6, Seat 1P Leon/Leon Cupra/Leon Cupra R, Leon K1 etc), which has taken off REALLY well (sold in excess of 220 of them). It was developed on these cars, because the thrust washers between the crank and block are a weak point, and pressing the clutch to start the engine causes premature wear, which can result in a replacement engine being needed.

Now, whilst this particular harness won't work on the A5/S5/RS5, I am 99.9% sure I can make the same product to fit, its just a case of using the correct connectors, and adapting the technology to suit. I am working closely with members of the A4/S4/RS4 B8/B8.5 community (it is the same harness), and they have been very accepting, and seems like it is a product people want!

What I want to know is, is it something you guys would be interested in? If there's no market, I won't bother with the R&D into it. I'm hoping there is a market though, because from what the person who suggested I write on here said, there is a known problem with the clutch master cylinder failing on the B8/B8.5's (so I assume the same with you guys?) which requires a new clutch to be fitted (I think!).
Price wise, I should be able to make them for the same £22 UK posted/£30 internationally posted as my existing setup.

Look forward to hearing your views

Having looked into this a bit more, and doing more research, I'm not convinced its going to work how my existing harness does. The B8 ECU is more intelligent than these ECU's..

It seems the B8 ecu checks the clutch switch circuits, and checks they are pressed in a logical order (ie. 1-2-3). The way I was planning to do it (and as it is on the Mk5/6 Golf/Audi 8P etc) switch 3 would be constantly activated, so the ecu would see the order as 3-1-2...which will throw an EML because it's not what the ECU is expecting to see. This explains why the 3zero3 one needs the clutch to be semi-pressed still, because they use the signal from switch 2 to trigger switch 3, but with a slight delay...which keeps the ecu happy.

I will carry on looking into a solution though. Bit gutted, thought I was onto a winner there! At least it was figured out now rather than when loads were released!

TimberVD said:

I'm pretty sure you can code this out with VCDS. Can't say I've ever thought of this being a problem. I've always pushed the clutch in before starting.

Click to expand...

It can't be coded out with VCDS.

I've now sold 300+ of my original harness, but unfortunately the adaption I thought I could make to mean it would fit the A5/S5/RS5 wasn't successful, so this has come to a bit of a dead end I'm afraid.

As for starting the engine with the clutch depressed...it's not a good thing to do. By pushing the clutch in, you are forcing the crank into the thrust washers in the block when they have no oil pressure or lubrication from the oil pump. I'm not sure if its such an issue in the bigger engines, but in the 2L TFSI engine in the A3/S3 (and the other VAG cars that share the same engine), the thrust washer is a weak point, and once this goes, it can write the engine off