I'd be willing to bet there is a switch activated by the clutch pedal. This way it can't be started in gear. KDADDY792009-04-05 19:49:10

It's called a "Neutral Safety Switch". Automatics have the same deal. It keeps you from cranking/starting the car with the trans in gear, which can ruin yer day really quick!
On standard transmissions, the clutch is pressed in to ensure the trans is dis-engaged while starting. On autos, the trans must be in "Park" or "Neutral" to start, for the same reason.


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

To me, on my 4 speed, its a pain in the butt.  I hate having to depress the clutch.
Call me old fashion.  I like just shifting to neutral and then starting the car like my other cars.
  Any simple way to disconnect this feature.  Do I just disconnect the switch?

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Steve, Lifetime Member #129

74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split  bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.

I certainly do not recommend you bypass this safety feature, and so will not tell you how.  But if you are determined, I am sure you can find a wiring diagram and figure it out.

Larry

Steve, if you really want to eliminate this..........you must go under your dash where your clutch pedal linkage is, there you will find a two wire plug connnector connecting with the switch mechanism. You will have to splice the wires together to fool the interlock. It should be a purple/white wire and a light green/black wire.  Do the wiring in a way that you can reconnect back at a later date. To experiment, you can make a temporary connector to connect to the plug connection. Good luck, Larry corvette440hp2009-04-06 11:12:00

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And be sure to have yer lawyer contact Larry(corvette440hp) after the accident...


Seriously, tho...the switch is really there to keep you from accidentally starting the car with it in gear. It happens...someone reaches in thru the window to crank it, and off she goes thru the garage door, into a car ahead/behind ya, or...worst case...down the street with no driver...

True story for ya...Happened several years ago at a shop I was at. Guy installs the trans in a Chev truck, pumps some fluid in it, reaches thru the window and cranks it up(at high idle), walks back around front, pumps some more fluid in it. Shifter was in REVERSE. Once there was enough fluid in it for the trans to engage, off the drive-on rack it went, backwards, thru our overhead door(it was winter time). Smashes into another customer car in the parking lot. The impact from that slammed the shifter into drive...off she goes into the closed overhead door of the shop next to us...thru the door, and halfway thru the wall of the next shop, two doors down. Tires spinnin, smoke rollin off of them, and no way to get to it to shut if off! Driver's door was crammed in the wall between the two shops, passenger door was locked. We wound up breaking the pass window out to get in the truck and shut the thing down.
The NSS had been bypassed on it...
Yeah, it was an accident, and the guy should have checked to make sure the shifter was in Park, but....Adams' Apple2009-04-06 19:27:59

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

From your friendly neighborhood insurance claims guy - Nah, you really dont want to disconnect that...

[QUOTE=corvette440hp](Steve, if you really want to eliminate this.......... Good luck, Larry)[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]And be sure to have yer lawyer contact Larry(corvette440hp) after the accident...[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

MAN.................that's why I pronounced the word really .................


(fixed quote boxes)Adams' Apple2009-04-07 10:54:07

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Let me know how that defense works out in court....


just messin wid ya...

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]
Let me know how that defense works out in court....


just messin wid ya...[/QUOTE] That whats so great about this site.........most everyone has a great sense of humor...........actually I do hope no-one disconnects the safety and regets it after a OOPS! That was quite an occurrence with the runaway

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OK so here's why I won't disconnect the switch. When I was a little tyke my sister left me alone in her Corvair Spider. Well she also made the mistake of leaving the keys. So I turns the key and it started in gear, lunged forward and smacked the car ahead. I don't recall how much damage to the car, but there was damage to my head when she came back.  So as long as you think to put your car in neutral before starting your fine. One time you don't and ya wanna hope there ain't nothin ahead or behind.

 

I think I'll leave mine connected. "T"

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Click on images for Before and After pics!

Hey just for the record I am not disconnecting anything just wonder if it was normal.

Dave, as you've noticed...........you made a very wise decision, Larry

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Thanks for the input guys... something for me to think about.
Guess I will probably leave as is..


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Steve, Lifetime Member #129

74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split  bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.

Thats why the factory made it tht way!!

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(click to see a larger image)

Actually, the Gov mandated it...safety Nazis, doncha know? It is, however, a very good idea, anyway.

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"