Home page
SPONSOR AD SPONSOR AD

Topic: Starting problem

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


Starting problem

Posted: 4/5/09 7:37pm Message 1 of 17
Former Member
Send PM
Rocklin, CA - USA
Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484
Vette(s): 1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.

Why is it I have to push the clutch pedal in before the car will start? I have a 81 4 speed.




SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)

Starting problem

Posted: 4/5/09 7:48pm Message 2 of 17
Former Member
Send PM
Dutchess County, NY - USA
Joined: 8/27/2007
Posts: 2484
Vette(s): White '79 Corvette. It's a driver.
I'd be willing to bet there is a switch activated by the clutch pedal. This way it can't be started in gear.
Kevin 
KDADDY792009-04-05 19:49:10


Starting problem

Posted: 4/6/09 5:02am Message 3 of 17
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
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.



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"

Starting problem

Posted: 4/6/09 9:03am Message 4 of 17
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
Klamath Falls, OR - USA
Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 1059
Vette(s): 74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles, all original; paint, interior, engine, split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.
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?



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.

Starting problem

Posted: 4/6/09 9:16am Message 5 of 17
Former Member
Send PM
Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
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



Starting problem

Posted: 4/6/09 11:08am Message 6 of 17
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
Joined: 7/2/2006
Posts: 8205
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


corvette440hp

Starting problem

Posted: 4/6/09 7:26pm Message 7 of 17
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
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


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"

Starting problem

Posted: 4/6/09 7:57pm Message 8 of 17
Former Member
Send PM
Kendall Park, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/9/2005
Posts: 789
Vette(s): 1981 - 59 Beige over Cinnebar leather. Edlebrock top end, 2200 stall w/shift kit, 3:55s, Mufflex maniback exhaust, nice stereo, 16 in AREs w/BFGs
From your friendly neighborhood insurance claims guy - Nah, you really dont want to disconnect that...


Starting problem

Posted: 4/7/09 7:56am Message 9 of 17
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
Joined: 7/2/2006
Posts: 8205
[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


corvette440hp

Starting problem

Posted: 4/7/09 10:55am Message 10 of 17
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

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


just messin wid ya...


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"

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)