[zipfactor]

Hey all,

I'm working on my '76 trans am and i was wondering where the neutral safety switch went for a floor shifter. I was thinking there was a provision to mount it on the inside of the shifter housing, but I did not see anything. I tried looking in my manual and they do not show my type of shifter. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ben

[docvette]

Doc here,

Try looking on the right side of the transmission, at or near the linkage area, It may be a "Screw in type" with 4 terminals on it..2 for N/S function, and 2 for Backup lamps..

Doc

[LanceM]

Been a long time since my 76 T/A went away but I think the switch was on the steering colum, put it in park to lock the colum??? Or was that my 73 GT???

Wish I still had it... Hell both of them

[docvette]

Doc here,

It's floor linkage...

Doc

[zipfactor]

when i originally got the car the n/s switch was bolted to the steering column on the top part down by the brake switch. I took it off as it is obviously not going to be a functional backup lamp switch if i left it mounted there. I did not see any place on the transmission for it, but ill try looking a little harder tomorrow. thanks guys

[docvette]

Doc here,

Different ballgame if it used to be a column shift..thought it was stock floor shift..That switch you removed should have the N/S and back up lamps wires on it..you'll need to get a switch and mount for the conversion from whoever you bought the floor linkage, then extend the wires to it (on the transmission..

Doc

[zipfactor]

they had got the column out of another car i think, but the car is set up for a floor shifter. I looked online at a few parts houses and their n/s switches look the same as mine for a floor shifter. I just dont know where to mount for the floor shifter to move the switch. Perhaps I am missing some sort of bracket that the switch sits on inside of the shifter housing. I looked at another shifter my uncle had given me for a '75 trans am and I did not see any kind of bracket in there either. Thanks for the quick replies.

[docvette]

Doc here,

Well, I confused..

but if IT IS a stock Pontiac Floor shifter (of any kind) Pontiac will have the switch mount for it..(or know if the transmission has a sender..)

If IT IS an aftermarket , you probably DO need a switch mount for it..Find out who made it and ask them about the mount .. you'll have to order from them OR you can fabricate one yourself.

Doc

[zipfactor]

yeah it is the original floor shifter for that car. I'll try talking to the dealership this upcoming week and see what they know. I think I have a fisher body book kicking around here, Ill check that out too. Yeah this one has definatly got me stumped too Thanks for the input its always appreciated.

[MAUSS]

It's on the steering column... notice that the ring near the ignition switch rotates when you change gears? It has to do with the ignition lock. The neutral safety switch is in the same place that it would be if it was a column shift car. '79 Trans Am here.

[zipfactor]

is there some kind of linkage that goes from the transmission lever to the steering column? I dont understand how this works exactly. Thanks as always.

[docvette]

Doc here,

If it were a STOCK column Shift..The linkage would go from the transmission Either via Cable or Bar linkage, (and if solid linkage, most likely to a pivot point at the firewall) To the bottom of the column in the engine bay. From there it would connect to the finish ring and column handle inside the drivers compartment. At the bottom of the column INSIDE the car, the N/S backup switch is mounted to the column top.

IF it were stock FLOOR linkage The linkage is mounted usually on the side or top of the transmission, and has either a solid Rod or Cable going straight to the linkage lever(s) on the transmission..The switch is mounter to contact the linkage arms on the side of the linkage assembly ....In some cases, the Shifter may go directly into the top of the transmission (internal switch required)

Happy 4 th Of July!

Hotrodders are the
Most independent
group of individuals
today..
So I guess It's our
Day too...

Doc

[zipfactor]

Ah, ok well apparently I bought a car that has had the steering column changed, because I took the n/s switch off of the back of the steering column when i removed my old wiring harness. Ill have to really look at it and fab up a linkage to connect to the steering column. Either that or go to a junk yard and find the bar / cable.