neutral safety switch

Old March 5th, 2013 | 02:18 PM
  #1  
James Wilson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 44
neutral safety switch

Hello folks i have a question.i recently had my 72 cutlass worked on.the work that was done required the tranny to be pulled anyway my neutral safety switch is out of adjustment how do i need to readjust the switch im open for any suggestions
Old March 5th, 2013 | 03:19 PM
  #2  
MDchanic's Avatar
Connoisseur d'Junque
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21,183
From: The Hudson Valley
  1. Loosen 2 screws holding switch to column.
  2. Move switch.
  3. Tighten 2 screws holding switch to column.

- Eric
Old March 5th, 2013 | 04:01 PM
  #3  
Octania's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,286
Linkage at equalizer [frame to trans rod] more likely.

It's an easily adjusted single pinch bolt.

MT or AT?
Old March 6th, 2013 | 04:28 AM
  #4  
James Wilson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 44
At
Old March 6th, 2013 | 06:35 AM
  #5  
MDchanic's Avatar
Connoisseur d'Junque
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21,183
From: The Hudson Valley
If the problem is, as you say, the NSS being out of adjustment, as indicated by having to hold the shift lever either up or down in order to start the car (I'm ASSuming a column shift, here), and NOT a problem with the indicator needle misaligned with the letters, then see what I wrote above.

If the needle is misaligned, then it's the linkage.

If it's a floor shift, then sorry, but I can't keep track of which year had the switch where.

- Eric
Old March 6th, 2013 | 10:00 AM
  #6  
joe_padavano's Avatar
Old(s) Fart
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48,377
From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by MDchanic
If the problem is, as you say, the NSS being out of adjustment, as indicated by having to hold the shift lever either up or down in order to start the car (I'm ASSuming a column shift, here), and NOT a problem with the indicator needle misaligned with the letters, then see what I wrote above.

If the needle is misaligned, then it's the linkage.

If it's a floor shift, then sorry, but I can't keep track of which year had the switch where.

- Eric
Sorry, Eric, but I'm with Chris. The OP said the trans was removed, which means that the linkage from the trans to the steering column was disturbed. The actual NSS on the column should not have been touched. Logic says that the linkage was not properly adjusted when reassembled.
Old March 6th, 2013 | 10:19 AM
  #7  
MDchanic's Avatar
Connoisseur d'Junque
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21,183
From: The Hudson Valley
Not worth an argument, and I understand your rationale that the last thing touched should be the problem, but my rationale is this:

If the transmission linkage has moved enough to cause a problem, then the indicator position should also be off.
If the indicator position is still where it was, then the linkage shouldn't be the problem, especially since adjusting it would also change the indicator position.

I fully accept that I may be wrong, but that's my theory and I'm sticking to it.
I'm curious to learn whether I'm right.

(Disclaimer: the only floor shifts I've ever dealt with have been manuals, so if this is a floor shift, I might be missing something)

- Eric
Old March 6th, 2013 | 10:57 AM
  #8  
joe_padavano's Avatar
Old(s) Fart
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48,377
From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by MDchanic
Not worth an argument,
Oh, yes it is.

Old March 6th, 2013 | 11:00 AM
  #9  
MDchanic's Avatar
Connoisseur d'Junque
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21,183
From: The Hudson Valley
Oh no it isn't.
Old March 6th, 2013 | 12:24 PM
  #10  
68oldscutlass's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 116
From: Parlin, NJ
A. I kind of want to see a good argument play out..it's been that kind of day. B. I dont have exactly the same problem but I have to wiggle my column shift sometimes to get reverse lights to work. I THINK it is the NSS. Just a pain in the butt to get to. Thoughts?
Old March 6th, 2013 | 12:33 PM
  #11  
MDchanic's Avatar
Connoisseur d'Junque
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21,183
From: The Hudson Valley
I'd say so.

Could be mid adjusted or could be a bad switch (poor contact).

I've got a truck that does that. For the past 5 years its been easier for me to wiggle the lever than to bother with the switch adjustment.

- Eric
Old March 6th, 2013 | 12:45 PM
  #12  
joe_padavano's Avatar
Old(s) Fart
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48,377
From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by 68oldscutlass
A. I kind of want to see a good argument play out..it's been that kind of day.
Would that be the five minute argument or the half hour argument?
Old March 6th, 2013 | 12:57 PM
  #13  
MDchanic's Avatar
Connoisseur d'Junque
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21,183
From: The Hudson Valley
Oh. Half hour please.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
oldspackrat
Parts For Sale
2
November 17th, 2014 06:31 AM
70 ctls
Electrical
2
January 28th, 2009 03:20 PM
OhMyOlds
Aurora
3
October 21st, 2007 12:44 AM
footbrake
Electrical
1
June 12th, 2006 06:10 PM
oldsnut7098
Electrical
1
August 10th, 2003 10:06 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: neutral safety switch



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:32 PM.