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Need Help with a Wiring Problem - Start-enable circuit

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Old Aug 20, 2006 | 11:15 AM
  #1  
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From: Decatur Al
Default Need Help with a Wiring Problem - Start-enable circuit

I have an '87 convertible w/ 4+3 manual tranny. There is supposed to be a switch on the clutch pedal linkage that allows start voltage to go to the starter solenoid only when the clutch is depressed. I can't find that switch!

After several hours of searching, I finally found a connector with the correct color wires stuffed up into a nest of wires above the ignition switch but not connected to anything. The connector had been very crudely "jumpered" across both wires, and one half of the jumper was sort of dangling and not making a reliable connection. (I've had starter solenoid troubles and I think I've just found the problem!)

I've searched the FSM and other sources (including the IPB), but I cannot find a picture anywhere that illustrates the location of the switch that this connector is supposed to be plugged into.

My question: Can anyone either describe the location of my clutch start-enable switch or send me a picture showing where it ought to be? I'd like to find this so I can plug the connector back in!

Rick
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Old Aug 20, 2006 | 11:26 AM
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
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The clutch safety switch is actually mounted on a brace to the left of the clutch pedal, up high and has 2 wires and a socket that a 2 pin plug plugs into from the wiring harness. When I jumped my plug with a wire with two spade lugs on the ends, I pushed the plug up behind the clutch pedal (I don't have big hands, but I could never replace the clutch safety switch so I jumped it). Unless someone cut through the wiring harness wrap to pull the clutch safety switch plug up by the ignition switch, I wouldn't expect to see that plug that far from the clutch pedal. Wire color is purple and green/white stripe.
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Old Aug 20, 2006 | 12:01 PM
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From: Decatur Al
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The plug that I found has large gauge purple and green/white striped wires. The plug actually has room for 4 spade-type connectors but only two slots are used. A previous owner (or maybe a repair-type person) took what appears to be a very short length of two wire lamp-cord, stripped it back about an inch on either end, twisted both wires together, and then tried to wrap the wires around the spade lugs up in the connector. The amazing thing is that it's worked for at least 3 years (as long as I've owned the car)!

Thank you for the description of where the switch is supposed to be located. I'll get my head back under the dash later today and see if I can find it!
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Old Aug 21, 2006 | 08:45 AM
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From: Decatur Al
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Still haven't been able to find the switch on the clutch linkage, so ... I made a proper jumper with spade lug quick-connects and the correct gauge wire, and jumpered past the clutch start-enable function. Since my original starter solenoid problem was intermittent, I'll have to wait a while before declaring that problem fixed by this jumper.

I guess someone removed the switch at some point in time to replace it and then decided it was too much trouble to put a new one in.
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