Clutch Safety Switch
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 9
From: Seabrook Texas
St. Jude Donor '05
Clutch Safety Switch
Can someone tell me how to de activate the clutch safety switch on a 78 l82/4spd so you do not have to depress the clutch to start the car? Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Someone deactivated mine before I purchased the car. I don't have the wiring schematic in front of me, however, on my car someone jumped the wires. In other words, they directly wired the purple and yellow wires together. Normally the switch would connect the wires together when the clutch is depressed. I've never really investigated my wiring, but I'm actually in the process of reactivating the switch.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 39
From: Fremont CA
Look for the switch under the dash on the clutch pedal bracket (on the spedo/tach side.) Disconnect the connector and use 2 blade terminals to bypass it. The best method is to run the bypass to a "hidden" remote anti-theft switch for additional protection. The thrust bearing in your motor will give you many thousands of miles of extra service after disconnecting this "idiot device".
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 9
From: Seabrook Texas
St. Jude Donor '05
Can I just unplug the switch and Jump it with a wire with 2 plade connectors and plug them in to the harnes itself? And what gauge wire would be reccomended?
Thanks
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by swtato
Can I just unplug the switch and Jump it with a wire with 2 plade connectors and plug them in to the harnes itself? And what gauge wire would be reccomended?
Thanks
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
Originally Posted by Solid LT1
Look for the switch under the dash on the clutch pedal bracket (on the spedo/tach side.) Disconnect the connector and use 2 blade terminals to bypass it. The best method is to run the bypass to a "hidden" remote anti-theft switch for additional protection. The thrust bearing in your motor will give you many thousands of miles of extra service after disconnecting this "idiot device".
Last edited by ruby76; Jan 25, 2005 at 07:27 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Originally Posted by mvftw
Frankenvette, why do you want to re-activate? Safety only? I want to disconnect mine. It should save on wear-n-tear...
I was letting a friend take the vette for a very short drive. Like a bone head he started the car without the clutch depressed and locked up the manual tranny. No damage was done but had to have the tranny linkage adjusted. I personally don't think it will create much additional wear-n-tear.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
Originally Posted by Frankenvette
I was letting a friend take the vette for a very short drive. Like a bone head he started the car without the clutch depressed and locked up the manual tranny. No damage was done but had to have the tranny linkage adjusted. I personally don't think it will create much additional wear-n-tear.
Didn't hurt the tranny or clutch, but took me for a ride 
I think the switch is a good idea.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
It can be adjusted by where it is mounted. Im sure it probably has a "stock" location, but you could fabricate something else to move it closer to the rear of the vehicle so that it engages sooner. If you stick your head under the dash, (you'll be upside down in your seat) you can see what I mean. You should be able to see the switch.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 9
From: Seabrook Texas
St. Jude Donor '05
I can see the switch mounted up against the firewall I have not been able to see what causes it to engage. These things are a tought to get up under. This C3 make my C4 I used to have (40th Anv. Coupe) seem like a Suburban!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
The swinging arm that the clutch pedal is attached to actually is what depresses the switch. now you see why the clutch has to be fully depressed to engage it.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,049
Likes: 675
From: FL
I was thinking about replacing mine with a neutral safety switch. My Tremec came with one but I removed it and plugged the hole when I installed the transmission. That would let me install a remote starter system.
Of course, I usually leave it in gear when parked due to back up the weak parking brake and I need to be in the car anyway to pump the gas to set the choke.
OK, I'm staying stock. Easier.
Of course, I usually leave it in gear when parked due to back up the weak parking brake and I need to be in the car anyway to pump the gas to set the choke.
OK, I'm staying stock. Easier.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Originally Posted by swtato
Can I just unplug the switch and Jump it with a wire with 2 plade connectors and plug them in to the harnes itself? And what gauge wire would be reccomended?
