77 C3 Possible NSS dead
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
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77 C3 Possible NSS dead
My 77 starter stopped cranking by key. I can jump it at the starter with the ignition switch on, so I am guessing that it is the NSS or ignition switch. I want to do the process of elimination so I need to find the NSS.
In the automatic can someone please tell me where the Neutral Safety switch is and what it looks like? I think that it is bad and it is not letting the car start (or the ignition switch.) I will jump the NSS when I am told where it is. If I jump it and the ignition switch works I know what is wrong.
If it is the ignition switch I will post how to swap it (I hope not).
Thanks
Jack
77 C3
63 SWC
In the automatic can someone please tell me where the Neutral Safety switch is and what it looks like? I think that it is bad and it is not letting the car start (or the ignition switch.) I will jump the NSS when I am told where it is. If I jump it and the ignition switch works I know what is wrong.
If it is the ignition switch I will post how to swap it (I hope not).
Thanks
Jack
77 C3
63 SWC
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
NSS is in the console attached to the shifter. I think on your 77 you can get to it by removing the panel on the right side of the console.
edit-your looking for the 12 purple and the 12 purple/white
edit-your looking for the 12 purple and the 12 purple/white
Last edited by ...Roger...; Aug 30, 2011 at 11:15 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
Above post is correct. You are looking to see if 12vdc power is getting to the NSS and if it is getting through it when the shifter is in Neutral or Park. If 12v is not reaching the NSS, then the problem is in the steering column (most likely) or in wiring between the steering column and the NSS. If 12v is getting to the NSS, but not passing through it, the NSS is bad or is out of adjustment. (But, since it was working OK before, adjustment is probably not going to help.)
The other possibility is that the starter solenoid is bad. You can also check to see if 12v is getting to the solenoid at the "S" terminal when you try to start the car. (Keep hands clear in case it DOES start)
The other possibility is that the starter solenoid is bad. You can also check to see if 12v is getting to the solenoid at the "S" terminal when you try to start the car. (Keep hands clear in case it DOES start)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
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Likes: 2
Above post is correct. You are looking to see if 12vdc power is getting to the NSS and if it is getting through it when the shifter is in Neutral or Park. If 12v is not reaching the NSS, then the problem is in the steering column (most likely) or in wiring between the steering column and the NSS. If 12v is getting to the NSS, but not passing through it, the NSS is bad or is out of adjustment. (But, since it was working OK before, adjustment is probably not going to help.)
The other possibility is that the starter solenoid is bad. You can also check to see if 12v is getting to the solenoid at the "S" terminal when you try to start the car. (Keep hands clear in case it DOES start)
The other possibility is that the starter solenoid is bad. You can also check to see if 12v is getting to the solenoid at the "S" terminal when you try to start the car. (Keep hands clear in case it DOES start)
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
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From: Florida
I am going to turn the key to the on position put a screwdriver on the solenoid battery terminal and jump it to the small bolt that turns the starter. If it cranks I will work my way backwards. I just wanted to know if anyone had a picture of the NSS. They all look different.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Here is a switch for an automatic.
I always solder the twist connections since they can loosen after time and movement. Careful not to melt the plastic.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
The small green in Noonie's above pic is part of the backup lights.
(NOTE - 74 and 75 cars use different colors for the NSS than any other years)
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
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Thanks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
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I hope this now is the fix.
I was getting hot to the purple wire on the solenoid when I turned the key to start.
Thanks
Jack
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
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Hi Roger,
I am at a point where I feel like changing the key switch, NSS and starter.
I am sick of this dead starter.
I just put up another post regarding this.
I replaced the solenoid and all was good when after about 20 starts it wouldn't start again, then 3 hours later it did. I will not drive it as I am afraid of getting stuck. I am thinking that the starter might have a bad spot on the copper armature from overheating. Maybe a new starter would be a better thought??
What do you think? The lead to the starter was hot when I turned the key. It was also almost too tight.
Thanks
Jack
I am at a point where I feel like changing the key switch, NSS and starter.
I am sick of this dead starter.
I just put up another post regarding this.
I replaced the solenoid and all was good when after about 20 starts it wouldn't start again, then 3 hours later it did. I will not drive it as I am afraid of getting stuck. I am thinking that the starter might have a bad spot on the copper armature from overheating. Maybe a new starter would be a better thought??
What do you think? The lead to the starter was hot when I turned the key. It was also almost too tight.
Thanks
Jack
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 474
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From: Bishop CA
You say you installed a heat shield. Was the starter dragging when Hot? Did the heat shield help . Thanks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
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From: Hermosa
I have a 77 and went through all of what you are going through last year.
From everything you are saying it is the NSS switch. I also replaced the selenoid and got a few good starts then nada. Sometimes if I let it sit it would then start after a while making me thing it was a heat sink problem. In the end it was the NSS switch.
You can jumper across it the next time your car won't start and see if that fixes the problem. In mine it did. I rebuilt the switch and no problems since. Sorry I don't have any pics of the switch. I'm guessing by now you have found it?
From everything you are saying it is the NSS switch. I also replaced the selenoid and got a few good starts then nada. Sometimes if I let it sit it would then start after a while making me thing it was a heat sink problem. In the end it was the NSS switch.
You can jumper across it the next time your car won't start and see if that fixes the problem. In mine it did. I rebuilt the switch and no problems since. Sorry I don't have any pics of the switch. I'm guessing by now you have found it?
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12
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From: Woodward OK
my 1981 corvette has the two purple wires on the NSS but there is no wires available to click into the clip. Been removed? where should the wire to the purple/white wire and the all purple wire go to or come in? The car is a basket case in that it is in great shape, but not all there. Just installed new engine and transmission and ready to fire.
