I seen on someone's signature that they removed the clutch safety switch. What is it and how beneficial is it for someone to remove it...

 

That would be me. It's the switch that tell the ECU that you're stepping on the clutch, so you can start the car. I disconnected mine, because when I start my car, I don't want a load on the thrust bearing until oil gets to it. 95-99 DSMs had a problem called "crankwalk", where the thrust bearing would wear prematurely, and the crankshaft would move back and forth a bit. Disconnecting the clutch safety switch helps prevent it. Besides, I like to be able to start the car by leaning in and turning the key when I change the oil. Can't do that if you have to step on the clutch.

 

why would you need to start the car from the outside while you're changing the oil?

 

Do you also have a neutral safety switch so it only starts in N?

 

To check for leaks. You do check for leaks after you've changed the oil, don't you?

No, but I've been doing it this way for 11 years, so I'm used to leaving the car in neutral, and setting the parking brake when I turn the car off.

It's actually come in handy a couple times. I've started my Eclipse in 2nd gear when the clutch wouldn't disengage. It was the only way I got it home.
Another time, I used the starter to walk it up onto a trailer when the engine wouldn't start.

 

i was just afraid that you were starting the car w/ no oil t oget more out. i've seen people do stupid stuff like that and was afraid that might be the case here. heh. i'm just rambling here though.

 

No, nothing like that, but I have seen people that are SO confident in their "skillz" that they don't bother to check for leaks. These are the same people that end up cleaning up 3 quarts off the pavement when they forget to make *sure* they got the old filter gasket off before putting the new filter on.

 

how do i remove it. i kinda wanna do it if it's not to complicated.

 

It's easy. Open your driver's side door, and put your head down by the clutch pedal, facing up.

There's two switches on a bracket above the clutch pedal. The upper one tells the car you're starting to step on the clutch, and only turns off the cruise-control. The lower one (closer to the firewall) is the one you're looking for. All it does is tell the car that you're standing on the clutch, and holding it to the floor, so it's safe to start the engine.

Unplug the lower switch, and you're done.

Just make SURE you leave the car in Neutral when you park it, and check it again before starting the car.

Enjoy.