Starter or safety neutral switch???
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: California
Starter or safety neutral switch???
i need more opinion before i change my starter. How will i now if my safety neutral switch needs to be replaced.
my car always starts first in the morning. it only wont start again after i drive the car.
i just want to make sure its not the safety neutral switch. Do u guys know how will i find out if my safety neutral switch is bad???????
thanks in advance.....
my car always starts first in the morning. it only wont start again after i drive the car.
i just want to make sure its not the safety neutral switch. Do u guys know how will i find out if my safety neutral switch is bad???????
thanks in advance.....
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 221
From: Beecher Illinois
I had the problem driving it home the 1000 miles after purchase. Couldn't even jump it. Hour later it started right up.
I simply disconnected the battery cables, made sure things were clean, and reconnected them. No problems in 5 years since.
Make sure your ground cable connection right below the battery box is clean and tight.
Replacing the starter may fix things simply because you're disconnecting and reconnecting the cables, not because you have a new starter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,421
Likes: 1,558
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Sounds like the problem the previous owner had with my white79.
I had the problem driving it home the 1000 miles after purchase. Couldn't even jump it. Hour later it started right up.
I simply disconnected the battery cables, made sure things were clean, and reconnected them. No problems in 5 years since.
Make sure your ground cable connection right below the battery box is clean and tight.
Replacing the starter may fix things simply because you're disconnecting and reconnecting the cables, not because you have a new starter.
I had the problem driving it home the 1000 miles after purchase. Couldn't even jump it. Hour later it started right up.
I simply disconnected the battery cables, made sure things were clean, and reconnected them. No problems in 5 years since.
Make sure your ground cable connection right below the battery box is clean and tight.
Replacing the starter may fix things simply because you're disconnecting and reconnecting the cables, not because you have a new starter.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The only way to know for sure that the neutral start switch is operating correctly is to 'dig' down to it and check for continuity when moving the shifter through the ranges (engine OFF). If working properly, it should make connection anywhere in the neutral range and in Park...but should not show continuity in any other range. The NSS and the starter solenoid are your most likely 'culprits'...but a bad wiring connection or a starter with worn-out brushes could also be the problem.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I had a '69 El Dorado that did the same thing. Turns out the carb was bad causing raw gas to enter the cylinders and hydrolock when hot and couldn't turn over. When the engine cooled down and the gas evaporated the car would start right up.
Do all the others have suggested and take the starter down to Autozone and have them check it out for you.
Do all the others have suggested and take the starter down to Autozone and have them check it out for you.
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Murray Kentucky
I have had this problem, too. From what I have been told, it is a common problem...it is the starter getting over-heated next to the exhaust manifold (or header). You have to wait until it cools enough before it will start again. Solution...from what I am told, a new starter will help if you are still running an older or original starter...and/or installing a thermal cover around the starter to protect it from the heat. I, myself, plan on doing both...getting a new starter and then wrapping it in the thermal cover.
hope this helps...
hope this helps...
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Run a temporary setup like this drawing and the next time the car wont start watch the light-if it lights then like Pete says replace the solenoid-if the light doesnt light then you can look at the neutral safety switch,and other PURPLE wire connections.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Excellent idea! If the bulb lights, you know that the solenoid is getting the 12vdc signal to it. If the starter doesn't turn over, it would have to be the starter solenoid (or, less likely, the starter and/or cables).
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
a sheild is better than a wrap,
the sheild allows airflow, the wrap also holds the heat in a starter.
You never wrap an electric motor/starter.
the sheild allows airflow, the wrap also holds the heat in a starter.
You never wrap an electric motor/starter.
