Help: Clutch starting problem with my 80 4/speed
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Matthews North Carolina
Help: Clutch starting problem with my 80 4/speed
I had a new clutch put in my 80 4/speed about 10 years ago(about 8,000 miles) and it has always been a little tough to start. Sometimes it fires right up when I press in clutch, sometimes it takes me a while. Recently it has been getting harder and harder to start. You have to pump it and pump it until eventually it catches and it fires up. Anyone have any idea what is going on ? I'm not very mechanical so want some advise before I take it in to a mechanic. It's wearing out my left leg. One of my co-workers said it may be a switch on the clutch pedal. Very expensive to fix? Thanks for any help. RS
Racer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 250
Likes: 29
Sounds like a safety switch problem. I've not had that issue with mine as of yet. I looked it up at one of the Corvette parts places. It's called the neutral safety switch. About $80 for a replacement. My guess is it's under the dash connected to the clutch pedal. I'm someone that has done this will chime in soon.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Are you having to pump the accelerator or the clutch pedal when starting? If the starter engages with the clutch pedal depressed, then it's working correctly. If it cranks a long time before starting, that's a different issue.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 671
From: Northeast
Since you said it is wearing out your left leg I will assume it is the clutch pedal you are stomping. This is the neutral safety switch on the pedal. Hardest part is getting your body under there to take a look. Perhaps the rod is bent?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
its not really a neutral safety switch.. it is a clutch switch that prevents the starter from engaging if the clutch pedal in not depressed.. then your engine will not crank.
neutral safety switches are on automatics where the engine will not crank if the shifter is not in either park or neutral.
both are really just idiot switches for folks who try to start their cars in gear.
compare this to the other idiot switch that prevents your key removal unless your 4-speed car is in reverse.
neutral safety switches are on automatics where the engine will not crank if the shifter is not in either park or neutral.
both are really just idiot switches for folks who try to start their cars in gear.
compare this to the other idiot switch that prevents your key removal unless your 4-speed car is in reverse.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
The contacts in the safety switch wear requiring further and further movement of the arm (and clutch pedal) to make contact in the switch.Removing the floor mat can help to get a bit more pedal movement. The small screw holding the switch is also quite hard to get at and it's an on your back, under the dash kind of job. Some people just remove the plug to the switch and jumper the two wires at the plug bypassing the switch completely which is quite easy to do.
Last edited by CanadaGrant; Nov 22, 2016 at 11:21 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Matthews North Carolina
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Matthews North Carolina
Thanks for all the information , guys. Really helped. I think I'm going to have the pedal switch bypassed. I may be an idiot sometimes but I think I can handle starting my car correctly.
RS
RS
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
That is what I would do.. just reach up under there, pull the plug and run a jumper wire between the connections.. then tape it up..
will probably have a hard time finding a shop to do it for you.. you know.. liability concerns and risk of litigation....
will probably have a hard time finding a shop to do it for you.. you know.. liability concerns and risk of litigation....
Last edited by joewill; Nov 23, 2016 at 08:55 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 671
From: Northeast
My manual refers to it as a "starter safety switch". 
Just a FWIW when I went to the dragstrip for street night this was one of the safety inspection checks. 1st gear, clutch out, turn the key. They did not want to see it leap forward.
Just a FWIW when I went to the dragstrip for street night this was one of the safety inspection checks. 1st gear, clutch out, turn the key. They did not want to see it leap forward.