I have searched for other posts with similar symptoms, but was unsuccessful.

Here's the facts:
1997 SR5
5 Speed
(Mods in the list, but this problem has always existed)

What is happening:
In order to start I have to MASH the clutch all the way down to the floor - Hard! and turn the key and it starts right up.
If I DON't mash the clutch down it won't make the connection for the starter.

What have I tried: The position of the clutch pedal sensor and when I had the carpet out I tried it then: NO difference.

Here's the thing: it starts up every single time without a problem (except the few times I've left the lights on)

What have I not tried: new or rebuild starter, replacing the clutch sensor.

What else could there be that would cause me to have to mash down the clutch in order for the connection to be made?

I would definitely start with the sensor. Doesn’t sound like a starter issue. There’s probably a way of checking the clutch switch in the fsm

When it wont start. Make sure you in neutral and hit the clutch cancel start button and hit the key to start. If it always starts then you clutch switch on the clutch pedal is bad. From what you are describing that's it. However, the clutch is supposed to be all the way to the floor for that switch to activate. Might be able to adjust that some but mine all were that way on toyotas.

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Try starting it by using the clutch start cancel button without pressing the clutch in. It should start right up. If you've already adjusted the switch on the floor then the switch on the floor must be going bad.

My Saturn clutch started do that a few months ago and then pushing it had stopped working. So I bypassed the switch with a jumper until I got a new switch for the clutch pedal.

I’d replace the clutch switch first or pull the connector out of it and jump the two terminals (same thing the bypass button does).


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I find it a strange "phenomenon" because all the cars I've ever owned have been manual and none I've had to jam the clutch down to the floor like this.

I did come accross an older post that covers this so it sounds like this is a Manual 4Runner thing: Clutch start switch

Almost all my standards I owned but 1 were Toyota. That switch didn't exist until the late 90s and early 2000s. My 83 and 87 didn't have that switch. It so someone dosent start it in gear. Probably became a safety requirement.

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Thanks. I get the reason for the switch 100% and reading the other post it appears I'm not the only one ☺. I can live with that.

5 cent fix for you.

I put a cabinet door self stick rubber bumper on mine. about 1/8 inch thick and 1/2 inch diameter. Just peel and stick to the blue plastic part on the clutch pedal that pushes the switch (pretty obvious). This moves the contact position up out of the carpet nicely but still does not fully bottom out the switch. As you have already seen, the switch position is not adjustable. 2 years on and still doing its thing.

we were having similar problems with our '99 -- had to really really mash the pedal to the floor to start. as a temporary fix, added a thick rubber spacer to engage the switch sooner, and that was semi-sorta ok. most recently though i did with the 4R exactly as i did with my '95 pickup, which was to unplug that switch's lead, which means now to start it, that clutch start cancel button must be pressed. i've gotten so used to that in the truck (did that as a first line of defense kill switch) that i do it in the 4R anyway. so why not just unplug it for real (said i). this may be a great approach for you, if adding a spacer isn't a good option for you.