Neutral safety switch 4 speed - disable?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 238
Likes: 30
From: Dallas TX
Neutral safety switch 4 speed - disable?
I dont feel i need the clutch pedal on the floor to start the car.
Makes starting it while tuning a real chore - getting in and out to start the engine.
Anyone short the switch wires permanently to remove its function?
Thanks, charles
Makes starting it while tuning a real chore - getting in and out to start the engine.
Anyone short the switch wires permanently to remove its function?
Thanks, charles
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
After learning by experience at the race track that it's an advantage to be able to move a car out of harm's way by creeping on the starter (yes, it is bad on the starter, but much better than getting T-boned by someone doing 160), I purposely omitted the neutral and clutch safety switches on my shark. That said, don't blame me if you or someone you fail to inform of this mod inadvertantly runs into/over something when starting the engine.
TSW
TSW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
When this feature first came along, I thought it was nuts, but after 40 years in the shop, I have had a few close calls with them trying to run over me when I reached in to bump the starter. Maybe they ain't so stupid after all.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
It is a good fail safe as Wombvette mentioned... For me, (and not drag racing) I would rather error on the safe side. You could jump the wires for tuning if you don't have a helper.. ..
IMHO,
Willcox
IMHO,
Willcox
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Karol I wasted about two hours troubleshooting a wire problem that didn't exist because one of my guys that was vertically challenged, didn't push the pedal down far enough... 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I know a guy who had a major accident by doing this. He has bee na car guy all his life so he is no rookie. He was adjusting the carbs and had the door open and one leg in and standing on the other leg. He hit the key and the car fired up and was at WOT. It was in gear and the car dragged him through the back side of the garage and out into his yard still dragging him. His foot was mangled broke it all up and tore a lot of skin off. Probably should have killed him. The only thing that saved it was the shelf on the wall had a bucket of bolts. The ydropped on the motor and the nuts were ingested in the motor and it shut the motor down after about a 100 feet. Lucky to be alive. Destroyed the garage and did a number on the car and him. He was layed up for 6 weeks. Not worth it IMO.
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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 standard automotive relay will plug directly in place of the oem clutch switch connector.
depending how you wire it up it can be an interlock , or a bypass, or a theft Deterrent.
Me personally, the tought of someone having an accident,
without the clutch interlock in place, would be a large burden to live with.
depending how you wire it up it can be an interlock , or a bypass, or a theft Deterrent.
Me personally, the tought of someone having an accident,
without the clutch interlock in place, would be a large burden to live with.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
a standard automotive relay will plug directly in place of the oem clutch switch connector.
depending how you wire it up it can be an interlock , or a bypass, or a theft Deterrent.
Me personally, the tought of someone having an accident,
without the clutch interlock in place, would be a large burden to live with.
depending how you wire it up it can be an interlock , or a bypass, or a theft Deterrent.
Me personally, the tought of someone having an accident,
without the clutch interlock in place, would be a large burden to live with.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 174
Likes: 2
From: Fort Smith AR
When I bought my 2000 Hardtop (in 2000) the day after I got it home, I jumpered the clutch pedal switch.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Soon after I purchased my vette a friend came over and wanted to take it for a drive. I said sure. The vette was parked in the garage. My friend thought I had an automatic but I have a 4 speed. The shift pattern was covered up by a wood overlay. Needless to say he started the car in gear and it lunged forward nearly hitting the garage wall. The movement also caused the shifter linkage on the tranny to bind. The previous owner had removed the neutral safety switch. I plan to reinstall the safety switch at some point. In the mean time, I installed a 4 speed shift pattern badge from a late 60's vette on top of the wood overlay to remind anyone driving the vette that its a 4 speed.
