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Clutch Interlock Bypass Switch (CIBS)

Contents

*    History of CIBS Development

*    What is it?

*    Owner Pics

*    Installation Instructions

*    Contact Information

History Of CIBS Development

The Clutch Interlock Bypass Switch has been around as long as there have been clutch interlocks! The 5 sp Nissan Pathfinders came with a bypass switch from the factory, as did some Toyota 4-Runners.  Back in December 2000 Cliff Planck of the MAXC club came up with the idea to build one for the Nissan Frontier/Xterra.  He mentioned it on the board one day and got my attention.  I designed it on paper, built a test unit on the workbench and after about a month the final design was complete.  Cliff & I installed the unit in his 1999 Frontier pickup and it worked great!  I added several modifications to the design including several LED indicators and switch options.  The next test was to put it in an Xterra.  I sent a unit to Todd B. Frank of EOE.  (http://www.extreme4x4parts.com/)  He installed the unit in his 2000 Xterra where we discovered that the ESM information I had gotten from some members of MAXC was different from what Todd was seeing under the dash!  After a few hours of research I figured out that the ESM info I had was for an Automatic Speed Control Device (ASCD) it turns out that the 5 SP Xterra has TWO clutch switches!  I was looking at the wrong one J.  The top switch is for the Cruise Control, if you push the clutch in while the Cruise Control is engaged it shuts down cruise so the engine doesn’t over rev.  Anyway it turns out the X is wired just like the Frontier.  I told Todd how to modify his unit and it worked!  Several units were installed in MAXC vehicles and CIBS was off!  In November of 2001 I modified the Bi-color option to use 2 wire LED’s instead of three. 

 


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What is it?

The CIBS allows you to start your truck while in gear.  Now before you go ballistic and say that is a bad thing keep reading!  The ability to start your truck in gear is actually very handy.  See the uses below.

Examples of CIBS use:

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Owner Pics

Switch locations people have used.

           

Xterra (Black Switch and Bi-Color LED: Disarmed) 

Same Bi-Colored LED: Armed

     

The Original! Cliffs Frontier (Black Switch No LED)

     Mr. T’s (Black Switch Red LED) (My favorite mounting location)

\

 Red Button Switch Option   

rrstar’s mounting position

                                                                  

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Installation Instructions

Instructions for installing Clutch Interlock Bypass Kit

Parts list

Qty.    Description                            Use

1          Relay kit                               

2          Red/Blue IDC 'T' taps                     Use to tap into Clutch Switch wire

2          Fuse Block Taps                               Plugs into fuse block to tap power from a fuse.

6          Small tie wraps                                 Used to secure the wires in kit

2          Large tie wraps                                Used to secure the relay

Tools needed

Drill

5/16"  drill bit for LED Holder

1/2"    drill bit for push button switch

Wire cutters

Slip joint pliers to crimp the 'T' tap

Sharp Knife to cut the sleeve around the clutch wire

3/8 ratchet and socket set to remove ground bolt

Installing

  1. Decide where you want to mount the switch and LED.  See the above pics for ideas. 
  1. Now drill the holes using the appropriate bits.  I suggest using a small bit to drill a pilot hole first so the large bit does not slip. Be careful!  Stop the drill from going in too far and drilling into something else!  Plastic has the tendency to 'grab' the bit and draw it in!
  1. Get the CIBS relay assembly.  Unplug the Switch and the LED from the main harness. Set aside.  Notice they are labeled so you can plug them back into their proper place!
  1. Crawl under the dash and locate a place to mount the relay.  It does not have to be anything more than another wire bundle.  Temporarily mount it with a piece of tape.  Make sure the Switch and LED will reach to the holes you drilled so you can plug them back in. Now using the large tie wrap, secure the relay in place.
  1. Find the green wire with the ring terminal labeled 'Ground'. Locate a bolt under the dash that screws into metal.  Remove the bolt and remove any paint from under the screw and body.  Put the ring terminal under the screw and tighten it firmly for a good ground.
  1. Locate the clutch switch under the dash. Make sure its the bottom one not the top one! Trace the wire bundle coming from the back of the switch.  Using a sharp knife or side cutters strip back the protective sleeve to expose the wires inside.  Separate out the BROWN wire with YELLOW stripe.  Crimp the RED/BLUE IDC 'T' connector onto this wire using the slip joint pliers.  Make sure you crimp this firmly!

T-Tap
 

 


  1. Locate the Black wire from the wiring harness labeled 'To Clutch Switch'. Plug this wire into the Red/BLUE IDC 'T' connector crimped to the clutch wire in the step above.  
  1. Remove the nut from the back of the push button switch.  Thread the connector and wire through the dash and push the switch into the hole. From the back slide the nut over the wire and onto the back of the switch and tighten firmly.  Now plug the switch back in to the harness. 
  1. Locate the round black plastic LED holder in the connector bag.  From the back of the dash feed the LED wire harness through the LED hole in the dash, LED first.  Push the LED into the back of the black holder until it clicks and the LED protrudes slightly from the front.  Now push the holder into the hole in the dash until its seated.  Now plug the LED back in to the connector on the harness labeled 'LED'. 
  1. Find the Red wire labeled 'To +12V'.  Route this wire into the fuse panel.  Locate a fuse that is hot ONLY WHEN THE KEY IS ON AND THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING!!! Do not use the ignition fuse! The Fuel Pump fuse is a good one to use.  Remove this fuse.  Get the fuse tap from the Connector Bag.  Place the small end of the fuse tap against one leg of the fuse then re-insert it back into the fuse panel.  Now plug the red wire into the big end of the fuse tap. 


 


  1.  Using the small tie wraps secure all the wires so they don’t interfere with pedal movement.  If you don’t your feet will eventually pull the switch or LED wires loose!!
  2. You are done!

Testing the CIBS

 

Before testing the CIBS make sure the truck will still start normally, i.e. you should be able to push the clutch in and start the truck as always.  If the truck will not start then go to the trouble shooting section.

1. Take the vehicle to a location that is free of all obstacles, people or property.  An empty parking lot would be ideal. Better still take the truck off-road somewhere!

2. Make sure the path in front of the truck is clear, put the truck in gear, and make sure the emergency brake is not on.

3. Turn the key to the ON position.  Push the activate button.  The LED (if so equipped) will illuminate.

4. Till you get a 'feel' for how your truck will react place your foot on the brake.  You will not need to give the truck gas till it actually starts.

5. Now BE READY! The next step will start the truck IN GEAR! There will be some jerking as the starter engages.  BE PREPARED!!!

6. Turn the key to the start position and 'start' the truck.  As the starter engages the truck will jerk forward as the engine turns over then will surge forward as the engine actually starts. At this point you can give it gas and drive off!

7. Practice this a couple of times then take the truck off-road and put the truck in four wheel drive.   Find a hill and stop the truck on the hill.  Repeat steps 2-6.

8. Find a muddy hill and repeat steps 2-7. 

Continue until you feel comfortable with the operation of this device.

Trouble-Shooting CIBS

Symptom
What to Do

You push the button, hear no click, and the LED doesn't light.

Check the in line 3 amp fuse in the fuse holder (If equipped )

Check the fuse tap connection to the fuse.

Check the fuse the tap is connected to.

Check that the switch connector to the harness is plugged in firmly.

Check that the relay is firmly plugged in.

You push the button, hear the relay click, the LED doesn’t light, but the truck will start in gear.

Make sure the LED connector to the harness is plugged in firmly.

You push the button, hear the relay click, the LED lights, but the truck won’t start in gear.

Check the connection to the T-Tap on the clutch wire. Make sure it’s plugged in firmly. Also check the T-Tap connection to the Brown wire with Yellow stripe.

You turn on the key, push the button, the relay clicks, the LED lights, BUT when you try to start the truck in gear it won’t start, and the LED goes out…

You have chosen a fuse (like the radio fuse) that goes off momentarily when the starter engages.  This turns off CIBS.  Choose another fuse like the Fuel Pump.

 

 

DISCLAIMER:

Warning!!! This device disables the vehicles Clutch Interlock System!  Disabling this device will allow the vehicle to be started while in gear!  This could result in injury to self, others or property damage!

This device is for OFF-ROAD USE ONLY!!! Before you activate this device MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN THE PROPER GEAR! Not good to be in reverse when on the edge of a cliff!

Use this device AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!  I assume NO responsibility for YOUR actions or the actions of ANY person operating YOUR vehicle while equipped with this device.

DO NOT enable this device while in a garage, public area, where children are present, or anywhere else where this ability could cause danger to same.

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR KEYS IN A VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THIS DEVICE!!! Children are very inquisitive!  Why run the risk of them figuring this out?

If you loan your vehicle to others EXPLAIN WHAT THAT BUTTON DOES!!! Failure to do so could result in injury or property damage YOU would be liable for! DON'T RISK THE POSSIBILITY!!!

By installing this device in your vehicle you assume all responsibility for its use and the consequences of that use.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: (Courtesy of XOC Reveiw) The only drawback I found is actually with the Xterra itself. If you stall and use the CIBS several times in a row, you risk the chance of the brake booster losing pressure, and the brakes being almost worthless. This could cause an unexpected roll back down the hill. If this is the case, simply start the Xterra with the clutch in, and let the booster build pressure before stopping the engine, then using the CIBS to get going again.

Contact Information

coolerman@qx.net

Contact me anytime with questions or suggestions for improvement of this product.

Last revised: January 5, 2005

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