Neutral Safety Switch

car4jim · #1 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 09:45 PM

I like the idea of wiring the neutral safety switch on my Tremec 5 speed to only allow the start circuit to engage when in neutral. Keep my 600 ponys from starting in gear. Can anybody think of any reasons this is a bad idea??

Ronbo · #2 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 10:20 PM

It's not a bad idea, but you'll get lots of opinions as to why people didn't hook theirs up.

If you think it's a good idea to hook it up, that's enough reason to do it.

Barnsnake · #3 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 10:21 PM

If it's anything but a pure race car, it's a good idea to have it.

car4jim · #4 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 10:28 PM

Thanks. I've almost got my Kirkham on the road. I assume I want to break into the wire out of the start circuit from the ignition switch. This will interupt power to the starter relay. I'm not even sure where the starter relay is on the later Kirkhams. I assume under the dash on the pass side.

Ron61 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 05:12 AM

I used mine even when I was racing. There was a post on here a year or so ago that showed the picture of some guy's Cobra shortly after a drive. He parked it in his garage and left the keys in and his daughters boy friend reached in and turned the key. Since the motor was still warm it fired right up and right into the door and wall. I like the idea of having to have it in neutral to start it.

Ron

wtm442 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 05:19 AM

Neutral safety switch is always a good idea. And I'm sure someone could come up with a reason NOT to have one, but the switch could always be bypassed if needed in an emergency.

patrickt · #7 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 05:56 AM

When my clutch linkage gave way earlier this summer the only way I could get it up on the flatbed was to "fly it up" by starting it in gear and then killing it before I drove it off the end of the flatbed in to the truck itself. Not for the weak of heart. If you're going to install a NSW, go the extra mile and include a bypass switch as well that can defeat it when needed.

mdmull · #8 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 06:59 AM

Actually the "best" way is to wire the trans neutral switch and a clutch safety switch in parallel. Then it will start in neutral OR with the clutch disengaged. If the car stalls in traffic (I know no one here ever has done that!) you don't have to put it in neutral to start. If you want to use the starter from outside the car during service etc. trans in neutral will suffice.

strictlypersonl · #9 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 07:50 AM

I disconnect the neutral safety switch on my street cars.

But I've been driving standard transmission cars (almost) exclusively for 50 years.

kobrabytes · #10 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 08:39 AM

Not having a safety neutral switch saved my butt!

I had pressure plate issues and needed to use the starter to drag the car up on a trailer. This wouldn't have worked in neutral or with the clutch pressed in.

I grew up in a day and age before neutral safety switches. I just go through a mental check and make sure I've not got the transmission disengaged before I start the engine.

Ron61 · #11 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 09:13 AM

I had my neutral safety switch where it was easily by-passed just in case of something like Kobrabytes ran into. But I still use the safety switch as I don't want something like I put in my post above happening. I also don't leave my keys in the car, so the person that happened to was partly to blame.

Ron