[fleetsidebob]

Howdy: I'm wiring my 69 Chevy truck (93 GM 350 TBI/700 R4) with a Painless harness which includes wires to connect to a neutral safety switch. I believe one carries in power and the other one passes it on to the starter solenoid when the transmission is in park and the key turned to start. Unfortunately, the steering column I got from Tuckers at a great price, does not have a provision for a NSS.

I want some protection from starting in gear so I am thinking about using a relay that would be activated by the brakes being applied. I would use the #30 terminal for the power in, the #87 for the power out (the two wires in the Painless harness), the #86 spliced into the brake light wiring, and the #85 to ground. When the brakes are applied, current would be allowed to flow to the starter. It's not as safe as the actual NSS, but better than nothing.

Does my idea hold water, or should I wire it differently, or try something else altogether?

Thanks
Fleetsidebob

 

[bigdog7373]

If you wire it to only start when the brake lights are on, which is what i believe you are saying, that would work fine.

 

[delawarebill]

switch

using the bk to start will work. but it's NOT the real purpose of that sw.. neutral or park ONLY.. apply the brk in drive and it'll still start, not good ....

 

[bigdog7373]

using the bk to start will work. but it's NOT the real purpose of that sw.. neutral or park ONLY.. apply the brk in drive and it'll still start, not good ....

I'd have to agree with you that it's not as safe as using the actual park safety. But my thing is how many times have you ever tried to start your car with it in gear? I know i've never done it. Also if you have to put your foot on the brake anyway it's not going to go anywhere, plus there will be extra strain on the starter that you will definitely notice. I'm actually not even sure if a starter could turn the motor over while it's in gear.
I say go for the brake safety and you'll be fine.

 

[fleetsidebob]

Thanks you both for your input. I agree that it is not the perfect solution, but short of changing the column, it seems like the most reasonable alternative. Turns out my wiring harness has a wire for a third brake light, I don't even have to splice into the brake light wire.

 

[ogre]

i answered this in another forum, but...
good idea, go with it.

my column (86 astro van) only has a park safety switch.
twice in 3 years the motor has died after a long deceleration and a couple of brake pushes
both times while turning into oncoming traffic
i may do the same thing so i can shift to neutral and restart

 

[bigdog7373]

i answered this in another forum, but...
good idea, go with it.

my column (86 astro van) only has a park safety switch.
twice in 3 years the motor has died after a long deceleration and a couple of brake pushes
both times while turning into oncoming traffic
i may do the same thing so i can shift to neutral and restart

Yikes! Thats why i'm not a fan of all this "safety" equipment. Like the steering wheel lock when the key is off. I dont understand the point of most of it.

 

[EOD Guy]

You could put a hidden momentary push button switch under the dash, it would do the same thing, but no relay would be needed and would allow you to restart while in motion.

 

[sedanbob]

Several aftermarket suppliers have a neutral safety switch that attaches to the transmission linkage, and provide positions for both neutral and park.

 

[fleetsidebob]

Wow, so there is a Sedan Bob and a Fleetside Bob. Who would have figured? Anyway, thanks for the info. Are you thinking in terms of Lokar, or Genie, or one of those aftermarket providers?

 

[sedanbob]

Yes. Lokar was the first I thought of. They mount on the transmission and the switch is activated when in neutral and park. Cost about $30.