Topic: 1981 Neutral safety switch
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Gold MemberScotch Plains, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/11/2006
Posts: 241
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Coupe, Stock, Black on Black,
4 Spd
Backed the vette out of the garage to work on it and went to start it, but it wouldn't start. I replaced the neutral safety sw. it 5 yrs ago while I had the seat, steering wheel and instrument panel and brake/clutch pedal box out so it wasnt too difficult.
I want to know if there is a work around, or a way to replace without removing the instrument panel.
It's a 4 speed.
|UPDATED|3/30/2016 10:27:08 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
|UPDATED|3/30/2016 10:27:08 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Must be the time for neutral safety switches to go bad on '81 manual cars. lol.
Mine went late last year. For now I just ran a jumper wire across the pigtail contacts. I'm in the same quandary about how to tackle it. I knew I should have replaced it when I had the pedals out. Sorry I don't have a answer for you. If I find an answer I'll let you know.
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
Gold MemberScotch Plains, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/11/2006
Posts: 241
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Coupe, Stock, Black on Black,
4 Spd
Probly need to remove the speedo & tach cluster to get at it with some degree of difficulty.
I'm guessing the dust from the body shop must have done it in!
Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
I had a guy with small hands and just dropped the steering column down a little. I assume it is basically the same set up as my 82? Or am I thinking of something different?
Gold MemberScotch Plains, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/11/2006
Posts: 241
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Coupe, Stock, Black on Black,
4 Spd
Attempted to start the engine using a jumper between the purple and yellow wire main harness connector, but still did not start. I hear relays click in the engine compartment and in the center console.
Maybe need to troubleshoot to check the solenoid?
Yep, purple and yellow wires are the ones. So now if you can, get the car up in the air to get to the starter. With the car in neutral...please triple check that you are in neutral. I don't want to hear a story of a guy getting run over by his own car. Jump across the hot terminal to the small terminal on the starter to see if the starter comes to life. While your under there check the wiring going to the starter to make sure nothing is melted or unusual.
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
Gold MemberScotch Plains, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/11/2006
Posts: 241
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Coupe, Stock, Black on Black,
4 Spd
Thanks for the safety reminder.
I have a remote starter just for this reason.
Gonna get on it this weekend.
I'll let you know how I make out.
Gold MemberScotch Plains, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/11/2006
Posts: 241
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Coupe, Stock, Black on Black,
4 Spd
Jumped across the Battery Terminal to the small terminal (purple) on the starter and starter cranked.
I checked the wiring to the starter and found nothing burnt.
Still looks good since I replaced the Starter wiring a couple years ago.
>Battery is good
>Existing Safety Switch jumped & inserted new Neut Safety switch
>Jumped Starter & engine cranked
>Still the same, not cranking with the key
I have wiring diagrams. Thanks Joel!
So I'm going back to what I worked on last week, see if I might have disturbed the wiring/connections under the dash or in the LH door
Thanks
|UPDATED|4/2/2016 7:49:31 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Another place to check...and this happened on my '81. I chased this problem for awhile myself.
Trace the wire from the alternator lug on the back of the alternator back into the back of the fuse block in the car.
When I was doing my wire harness for the LS engine swap I noticed the thick red wire behind the fuse block had green corrosion flaking from it. As I dug further into it the wire was hanging on by a strand. Once I replaced that wire from the alternator to the fuse block my starting issue was solved.
So I'm just tossing this out there since it came to mind.
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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