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Old Nov 4, 2024 | 08:44 PM
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hello I have a 1978 corvette automatic. my engine will not crank. battery and starter are good. I found that I have no power in the yellow wire going to the neutral safety switch. My question is does the power in this wire come directly from the igntion switch? What is the best way to replace the ignition switch? Thank you
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Old Nov 5, 2024 | 08:34 AM
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Battery ground cable!
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Old Nov 5, 2024 | 09:36 AM
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Are you sure the switch is faulty? It could just be that it needs adjustment.
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Old Nov 5, 2024 | 09:43 AM
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Run a jumper cable from the battery ground to a solid ground point and see if that fixes the problem.
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Old Nov 5, 2024 | 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by 7t9l82
Battery ground cable!
Thanks for the response. How does the battery ground cable keep power out of the yellow wire to the neutral safety switch?
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Old Nov 5, 2024 | 09:45 AM
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Try it.
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Old Nov 5, 2024 | 09:53 AM
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Are all the other electrical devices working when you turn the key switch to “Run”? If everything else operates, then take a small wire with two alligator clips and attach it to the safety start switch contacts. If you still don’t get the starter to crank, check the switch (controlled by the key switch) located at the bottom of the steering column. You will need a wiring schematic for your year card to identify the appropriate wires to check. Good Luck.
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Old Nov 5, 2024 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by 7t9l82
Try it.
I tried that still no crank. I do not have power in the yellow wire at the neutral safety switch when I turn the key to start position
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Old Nov 5, 2024 | 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by corvette 1978
I tried that still no crank. I do not have power in the yellow wire at the neutral safety switch when I turn the key to start position
You mention you have an automatic transmission. Is that a “Park” switch? I thought a Neutral switch was for manual transmissions.

Either way, are you supposed to have positive 12v through that wire, or does the Park switch complete a ground for the negative side of the starter circuit (the purple wire on your solenoid)?

I don’t have a wiring diagram for your model, so I am just asking.
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Old Nov 5, 2024 | 03:03 PM
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The yellow wire does come directly from the ignition switch, if everything else in the car that requires the ignition to be switched on works then you must have power to the ignition switch. That leaves 3 possibilities
1) the ignition switch is faulty
2) the ignition switch is not adjusted properly
3) there is a break in the yellow wire between the ignition switch and the neutral safety switch (there is a connector for the neutral safety switch wires near the switch, that could not be connecting properly)
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Old Nov 5, 2024 | 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by DWAVette
You mention you have an automatic transmission. Is that a “Park” switch? I thought a Neutral switch was for manual transmissions.

Either way, are you supposed to have positive 12v through that wire, or does the Park switch complete a ground for the negative side of the starter circuit (the purple wire on your solenoid)?

I don’t have a wiring diagram for your model, so I am just asking.
It’s there

Although there isn’t a yellow wire. OP, could you post a picture of where you’re checking?
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Old Nov 5, 2024 | 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Piersonpie
It’s thereAlthough there isn’t a yellow wire. OP, could you post a picture of where you’re checking?

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Old Nov 5, 2024 | 07:42 PM
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