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  • byersmtrco
    Super-Experienced
    • Sep 28 2004
    • 1839

    Neutral Safety Switch

    Good Morning All,

    When the N/S Sw fails, is there a quick way to by-pass it?
    Pref with wiring under the hood. I'm pretty sure on one of
    the wires on the solenoid.


    I fiddled around with the gearshift lever and finally got it going.
    For years we had to hold the lever up in Park for it to start or
    to operate the top.


    I need to go thru that column top to bottom. Get the horn working etc. I slid the mast jacket up so the turn signals cancel.
    But it need the new bowl & detent plate.

    But yeah, on the N/S, I just wanna by-pass the stupid thing for now.
  • jopizz
    Super-Experienced


    • Nov 23 2009
    • 8316

    #2
    There isn't any easy way to bypass it under the hood. The easiest way is to unplug the two red/blue wires from the neutral switch and connect them together. Just beware that your car will start in any gear with the switch bypassed.

    John
    John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

    Thunderbird Registry #36223
    jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

    https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

    Comment

    • DKheld
      Super-Experienced
      • Aug 27 2008
      • 1583

      #3
      Mine is really touchy on the adjustment.
      Slightest movement and the reverse lights do not come on.
      Move it the other way and the reverse lights work but you have to hold the shifter up to start. I like this position - I call it my anti-theft device -

      x2 with John

      Red/blue wires together and it's gonna start no matter what so be careful.

      Connect the two black wires together and your reverse lights will stay on all the time.


      (an old pic a few years back - column to firewall seal was slid all the way back to the switch and not normally in that position)





      Eric

      Comment

      • byersmtrco
        Super-Experienced
        • Sep 28 2004
        • 1839

        #4
        WOW!! That was fast !! Thanks for the asst on that.
        Great Pics. Looks like spade connectors. I might just make a little jumper harness.
        So that switch is IN the column? Add that to my parts list.
        The car starting in gear isn't an issue. Only I drive it & I'd be sure & tell anyone (if they had to) I've never left it in gear (EVER) My 71 Charger was that way for a few yrs.

        I might even conn the B/U lamp wires just to see if they work. I'm pretty sure the B/U lights never worked since day 1.
        OR the lic lamps OR the wsw/pump.

        Similar note. I've seen tilt columns in pictures in these cars.
        Anyone have one? Is it under $1,000,000 ?

        Comment

        • simplyconnected
          Administrator
          • May 26 2009
          • 8779

          #5
          I believe your convertible top is also controlled by the neutral switch as well. Lots of functions to consider. - Dave
          Member, Sons of the American Revolution

          CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.

          "We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
          --Lee Iacocca

          From: Royal Oak, Michigan

          Comment

          • byersmtrco
            Super-Experienced
            • Sep 28 2004
            • 1839

            #6
            I'm pretty sure everything should function normal
            with the sw by-passed.

            The Conv top is in-op right now.
            I need to repl the motor & the deck lid cyls.

            But the elec part operates fine, so with the NS Sw
            by-passed, I can at least unlock the dk/lid & lift
            the (5000 lb) lid.

            Comment

            • jopizz
              Super-Experienced


              • Nov 23 2009
              • 8316

              #7
              If you bypass the neutral switch your top switch will work in all gears rather than just Park and Neutral.

              John
              John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

              Thunderbird Registry #36223
              jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

              https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

              Comment

              • byersmtrco
                Super-Experienced
                • Sep 28 2004
                • 1839

                #8
                I need to replace the motor & the deck lid cyls.
                Only the latches & the tray work @ the moment


                Originally posted by jopizz
                If you bypass the neutral switch your top switch will work in all gears rather than just Park and Neutral.

                John

                Comment

                • byersmtrco
                  Super-Experienced
                  • Sep 28 2004
                  • 1839

                  #9
                  Thought that was too easy.

                  One female conn on one wire, one male on the other.
                  Just hooked em together & poof!! It worked. Weird though,
                  one of my wires was yellow.
                  Started 2 or 3 times at the house.
                  Got to the gas station & nadda.
                  There is a relay tied in with that syst, behind the glove box (probl tied in with the conv top N/S syst. It's clicking (like always when you turn the key off or on.
                  After a few attempts, it started right up. So next, I guess I'll test the solenoid.
                  Any other bright ideas would be appreciated.

                  Comment

                  • byersmtrco
                    Super-Experienced
                    • Sep 28 2004
                    • 1839

                    #10
                    Well, I checked all the connections at the sol.
                    The main cable (sol-starter) was a tad loose. Was it the probl??
                    Hmm. I tightened everything. I'm even going to run a ground wire from the solenoid mntg bolt to the neg batt post.

                    It's start jumping the poss cbl to the sol (S) term.

                    If nothing else;
                    You know you're a redneck when . . . you can jump your
                    starter sol with a screwdriver.

                    I'll install the Dixie horn this weekend.

                    Comment

                    • Infinite Monkeys
                      Apprentice
                      • Aug 24 2017
                      • 79

                      #11
                      Bypassing the NSS is fine, if you'll fix it and put it back in service. IMHO it's an important safety feature and must be kept in place.

                      A guy I know bypassed it in his motorhome, some time later his daughter started the vehicle while standing outside it. The RV was in reverse and lunged back.
                      She was knocked to the ground by the open door. Luckily she was OK, but could have been very different.

                      If your NSS feature is no longer working, maybe you can put in a relay under the dash so the car will start only with the brake pedal applied. I did this some years ago on another vehicle.

                      I don't know exactly how off the top of my head, but basically you'll need to take power from the brake light switch and the two wires from the NSS on the steering column and run them through a relay.

                      Comment

                      • byersmtrco
                        Super-Experienced
                        • Sep 28 2004
                        • 1839

                        #12
                        Eeeh, not too worried about it. Not even sure if it's the problem. No one drives the car except me. I NEVER leave it out of Park.

                        I need to go thru the whole column - Top to bottom.
                        (Which leads to my new post.)

                        Thanks for the concern though.

                        Originally posted by Infinite Monkeys
                        Bypassing the NSS is fine, if you'll fix it and put it back in service. IMHO it's an important safety feature and must be kept in place.

                        A guy I know bypassed it in his motorhome, some time later his daughter started the vehicle while standing outside it. The RV was in reverse and lunged back.
                        She was knocked to the ground by the open door. Luckily she was OK, but could have been very different.

                        If your NSS feature is no longer working, maybe you can put in a relay under the dash so the car will start only with the brake pedal applied. I did this some years ago on another vehicle.

                        I don't know exactly how off the top of my head, but basically you'll need to take power from the brake light switch and the two wires from the NSS on the steering column and run them through a relay.

                        Comment

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