Hi All,
Hopoe every one is staying cool out there. so need some expertise out there regarding a neutral safety switch issue in my 71 cutlass Supreme 3 Spd Auto console shift.
So I have been having intermitent issues. Started a while back where the car is locking me out. Car is in park and wheels straight turn the key and there is nothing not even a click.The sterring wheel is unlocked and movable but nothing with key turning in start. If I shift from Park tho drive, Nuetral back to drive several time I can start the car. this issue has been intermitent, And worse if wheels are turned. I replaced the Reverse lock out linkage from the firewall down to the trans since I found some wear in the connections and all was good again for about 4 weeks and issue re appeared. So last time it happened I started thinking about the issue a little harder and realized that usually the issue occures when
engine is hot. so several questions come to mind. The starter does not have a heat shield over it. could the manifold heat be effecting the amperage or OHMs ? There will be a heat shield over the starter when I finish the engine rebuild. Could the Neutral safety switch be out of alignment on the steering colum. And is it hard to replace said switch without having to drop the column or tear it appart. And finally I have a NOS Delco Remy switch ( pictured ) D-2211 #1994111. Is this the correct switch for a 3 speed automatic console shift automatic TH350. Or should it be D-22115? with the 6 male terminals. The car has power windows. Just want to make sure I have the right switch before I head back to the engine shop.

 

I'd try adjusting the NSS on the column.

 

Agree with Eric on adjusting the switch. There is a procedure in the chassis manual. Dropping the column is really not that bad. Just rest it on the seat and you can access the switch at the bottom of the column. If you have a column shift speedometer, you will have to disconnect the little drop down wire from it that connects the shift indicator to the column

 

And inspect the bushings in the shift linkage. A little slop here, add some more there, and before you know it the slop adds up to enough to prevent the NSS contacts from being in the right place to function, even though the shifter says it’s on the correct gear. Same thing with reverse lights that don’t always come on.

 

Hi Matt,
Thanks for the input ! I actually replaced the whole linkage from the firewall to the transmission since it was the original on the car. The new linkage was original but in great shape so I restored it and replaced all the nylon spacers and rubber bushing so that all the connections are correct and tight now.

 

Every so often mine will give me the no start no sound in park. If i shift to nuetral it starts right up.

i agree adjust the NSS

 

I just wanted to update anothe picture because some one on Facebook said the switch above was only for a colum shift car. And they posted a picture of what they said I needed but i believe what they have pictured was for a manual shift since I never had a switch down at the console automatic shifter, This is what the sent me picture wise.


But here is my shifter set up pre console install when I was doing the interior restoration. No such mechanism was present.

 

 

On 1971-72, the neutral safety switch is on the column, regardless of where your shifter is (column or console). On consoles it changes by the backdrive. In 1970, on consoles, it was located in the console, (a completely different type of switch, as you can see).

 

FB is a great way to get bad information. The responses to any technical question are usually about 80% incorrect in my admittedly unscientific sampling of various Oldsmobile groups. Kinda makes one wonder why anything else you read on FB is correct, either...

 

i agree Joe but there are a few knowledgable people there. One being Al Sutton who figured out axactly what I need on my car ! I might not need to replace it , it might just be an adjustment. But we did determine through the assembly manual and his parts book. That the correct switch is D2219C _ 1994115. Now i just need to find a NOS one somewhere, since the new AC Delco ones have been getting bad reviews since they are made in China. I need to source one made in Mexico or USA.

 

In 1971 the switch is on the column; so the switch you have pictured will not work. The switch itself is not complicated and the adjustment procedure is very easy to do. You will have to do it anyways if you install a new switch. (it is really just an alignment procedure)

 

Scroll up and look at the photo of the switch he has in the first post.

 

Patl,
Thanks the picture of the rusted one on the floor is not the correct one. Someone on Facebook posted that, and I told them it was not correct, and that was for a 70 floor shift. In 71 it was moved up to the column. I had a Delco Remy D-2211-1994111 on my parts shelf, but that number in my assembly manual calls that for a column shift. I have found that the correct part for my application is D-2219C-1994115.for my console floor mounted 3 speed shifter. Non His Her's shifter.

 

Yes that's right Joe; I thought he was talking about the later picture with the console switch. I still think he needs to try to adjust it first before replacing it.

 

You should confirm this because I am doing it from memory: I think the parts catalogs list a couple of versions of these for a 1971, but they all mount in the same place on the column

 

Thanks Patl,
There was actually 3 listed. But the D-2219_1994115 is 1st style then there was two alternate numbers 1994314 for 2nd and 1994154 for 3rd style.