How can you bypass the starter lockout switch on a 1990 Toyota Camry standard transmission that should activate and allow the car to start when the clutch is fully depressed?

Answer 1

This answer is based on experience with my aunt's ~1995 Toyota pickup, but it should apply to the Camry, too. I imagine her problem was similar to yours. I had set out to bypass the switch, but ultimately did not have to (read on).

Look for the switch behind the clutch pedal. When the clutch is depressed, the switch is engaged when the arm of the clutch pedal presses a button on the switch assembely. Although I am sure that you could bypass the switch, you probably don't need to. On the truck I was working on, the problem was that the button was not fully depressed when the clutch was depressed. You can test whether the switch is working by pushing the button and starting the car. If it works, you can make sure that the switch button gets fully pressed in when the clutch is depressed. The switch is mounted on a piece of sheet metal; using an adjustable wrench or pliers, bend the switch assembly toward the rear of the car. Alternatively, you could shim the button by glueing a piece of plastic to the end of the button. if none of that works, unplug that switch and put a jumper between the 2 wires that go to it.