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nuetral saftey switch problems.

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davoaz

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
It appears mine has shorted or gone bad. GM chasis manual doesn't say much about them. The old switch is on the column and I have a floor shifter. Just looking under the dash trying to find the wires or the switch is a PITA.

The gear indicator cable is disconnected. Should this thing be hooked up for a ground to the switch?

Can this thing be rewired to so I can start it or is a new switch needed?

Can you get to thins thing from under the dash or do you have to remove the steering wheel?

Would it be easier to replace the switch on the column or should I look into putting a switch on the floor shifter?
 
#2 ·
I would crawl underneath, run 2 new wires from the switch off the tranny to the micro switch on your floor shifter. I assume it is a racing style or BM shifter? They all usually come with the microswitch for nuetral and reverse lights.
 
Discussion starter · #5 · (Edited)
700R. I took apart my BM shifter. It appears the person who installed the shifter did not include the nuetral safety switch.


Ok found the purple wires. They're wired together. They old NSS was never connected. So now I'm wondering if my problem is in the ignition switch.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
71' Velle. So if I don't get 12v on the purple wires that indicate ignition switch? Sounds like you need to pull the steering wheel to replace it.
 
#10 ·
There isn't anything pertaining to the NSS under the steering wheel but anyway if the purple wires are connected together, that rules out the NSS being the problem.
Like Dave said, see if you have 12 volts on the purple wire with the key in the start position.
If the ignition switch is sending 12 volts to the purple wire, it should have 12 volts at the other end of the wire, on the starter solenoid's "S" terminal.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
The switch itself (activated by a rod from the key) is located on the top side about halfway down the column, you should be able to get at it by removing the pannel under the column.
Click to expand...
I was talking about the ignition switch.

The IS is pretty loose in the column and it sounds like inorder to replace it or align it with the rod I need to pull the steering wheel. However, I will pick up a volt meter and check the voltage of the NSS wires as well as my starter solinoid
it should have 12 volts at the other end of the wire, on the starter solenoid's "S" terminal.
Click to expand...
Don't know if it makes much difference but my car has a ford solinoid.


I'm going to replace the NSS anyways cause I want it wired to the floor shifter along with the back up lights and wire a panel light for night driving. I just wanted to do it in about a month from now when it gets 50-60* and cold drive, Really hate wasting these 85* days we've been having.
 
#15 ·
davoaz said:
I was talking about the ignition switch.

The IS is pretty loose in the column and it sounds like inorder to replace it or align it with the rod I need to pull the steering wheel. However, I will pick up a volt meter and check the voltage of the NSS wires as well as my starter solinoid

Don't know if it makes much difference but my car has a ford solinoid.

It sounds like you are referring to the lock cylinder when you say "IN the column"
The ignition switch is on the outside of the column

I'm going to replace the NSS anyways cause I want it wired to the floor shifter along with the back up lights and wire a panel light for night driving. I just wanted to do it in about a month from now when it gets 50-60* and cold drive, Really hate wasting these 85* days we've been having.
Click to expand...
I don't blame ya, I would want it functioning also.

 
Discussion starter · #18 · (Edited)
If not, the IGN switch could be out of adjustment and the key isn't pushing the rod down far enough to engage start at the switch
Click to expand...
OK, I got 12V to the purple and white wire (NSS lead)

As for the ignition switch, from unlock to start the rod travels about 1".

Is there a connection that the rod must make contact with under the ignition switch? The switch is still secured pretty tight so doesn't seem like anything came loose there.

Before I pull the steering wheel, is there something under the gear shift housing that could possibly need to be realigned that wold affect the car firing? Or could the ignition switch actuator sector have something to do with it?


Oh, and another question. The green and red wires for the back up lights. I crossed them and turned the switch to on to check them, but the back up lights did not come on. Does the car need to be running before they come on?
 
#19 ·
davoaz said:
OK, I got 12V to the purple and white wire (NSS lead)

Oh, and another question. The green and red wires for the back up lights. I crossed them and turned the switch to on to check them, but the back up lights did not come on. Does the car need to be running before they come on?
Click to expand...
If you've got 12v at the NSS while trying to crank it's not the IGN switch and pulling the wheel off wont acheive anything.
You need to follow the plain purple out to the starter and make sure you have power there while cranking
The reverse light wiring is PINK and GREEN and plugs into the NSS on the column.
 
#20 ·
I'm assuming the car was a factory column shift automatic trans. Correct? If the shifter bezel on the column is not in the park or neutral position the nss will not make contact. I would contact your bm vendor and purchase the replacement switches for the neutral safety switch and backup switch. If you don't want to do that, you could remove the neutral safety switch from the column and manually engage the switch with the wires connected. This would bypass the column and negate the safety feature it was originally designed for. I would strongly recommend against driving with it like this Also the reverse lights won't come on unless the ignition switch is run. And i have yet to see a nss go bad in these cars.
 
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