Neutral Safety Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

5150 · 10-09-2005, 02:40 PM

This is my stupid question of the week.

What's the purpose of the neutral safety switch? Besides where you can start the truck

If you don't have one does it matter?

Tx Firefighter · 10-09-2005, 02:47 PM

Yes it matters. Without the switch in place, and operating properly, the truck will start any time the key is turned.

If the truck started in gear it would take off in whatever direction.

It's a pretty decent safety feature. Even the smartest folks can use them for that occasional knuckleheaded moment.

Close cousin to a clutch interlock switch, which requires the clutch to be fully depressed before the starter will work.

Longhorn Man · 10-09-2005, 04:09 PM

With that being said...
Has anyone here actually ever started a car while it was in gear on accident?

Interesting that an automatic...which is 99.999% of the time parked in park was required to have the NSS WAY before the clutch interlock deal...which, on a stick shift car, 50% of the time you park it in gear.

Tx Firefighter · 10-09-2005, 04:29 PM

I've seen it done once on a fairly decent 65 Mustang. He wound up bumping it into a workbench fairly hard. It prompted a minor front clip repair job.

86swb · 10-09-2005, 04:51 PM

Also the back-up light would not come on I am pretty sure.

junkyardjohn · 10-09-2005, 08:34 PM

I ALWAYS BYPASS MINE, AS IT COMES IN PRETTY HANDY BEING ABLE TO START IT IN ANY POSITION, BUT THEN AGAIN I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO EVER DRIVES IT TOO.
JOHN... DID YOU GET THE OIL LINE I SENT YOU O-K?? JOHN

Longhorn Man · 10-09-2005, 08:38 PM

Mine is bypassed too. B/U lights hooked to a toggle, I've had to use them as work lights in the past, so I like this feature personally.

**guyryan100** · 10-09-2005, 09:11 PM

would be nice to have backup lights in standard operation plus the ability to manually turn them on as work lights...

Rod · 10-09-2005, 09:37 PM

Ive seen a garage door or two that needed replacement because of no NSS.

Longhorn Man · 10-09-2005, 09:38 PM

That could be easily done too. Run power from a toggle switch, and then run it to the wire on the b/u switch plug that goes to the lights. This way, when you put it in gear, they come on through the stock switch power, and then when you want them on otherwise, hit the toggle and they'll light up. No need for diodes or anything.

matthufham · 10-09-2005, 09:43 PM

can you pass inspection in texas with a manual switch style backup lights? that seems to be the route i'm headed with my shifter since it didn't come with a neutral safety/bu light switch, just want to know if it's legal. i'll probably have to hint the guy what the switch is for.

Longhorn Man · 10-09-2005, 09:50 PM

it has been a few years since I was there, but I know on my truck I was told I did not need them at all. I had to get the papers on the inspection since it had an out of state title... so as of 98, no you did not need back up lights at all.

matthufham · 10-09-2005, 09:56 PM

hmm, well it's required by law, it all depends where you live though. people in rural areas get away with anything, while i have to go through the checklist in the city.

Longhorn Man · 10-09-2005, 10:31 PM

It wasn't on the list they had to check. I found it odd since it IS actually required by law...but when i looked it over, it wasn't listed. Being that I always drove junk, I was always checking out the inspection list...I normally ended up arguing with them and quoting there own papers to prove them wrong.
We didn't have smog tests like you guys do though.
This was in Killeen 150 or so miles south of you IIRC.

Tx Firefighter · 10-09-2005, 10:38 PM

It's a 72, register it as an antique and never get another inspection sticker.

86swb · 10-09-2005, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

JOHN... DID YOU GET THE OIL LINE I SENT YOU O-K?? JOHN

No, I called FedEx and they do not know where it is. The oil line did not make to Mayfield. They sent me a form to fill out and I faxed it back to them so now we will just wait and see what happens. Will let you know.

matthufham · 10-09-2005, 11:26 PM

USAA "navy" insurance. if you think that's cheap think again.

10-09-2005, 02:40 PM	#1
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	Neutral Safety Question This is my stupid question of the week. What's the purpose of the neutral safety switch? Besides where you can start the truck If you don't have one does it matter? __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

10-09-2005, 02:47 PM	#2
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Yes it matters. Without the switch in place, and operating properly, the truck will start any time the key is turned. If the truck started in gear it would take off in whatever direction. It's a pretty decent safety feature. Even the smartest folks can use them for that occasional knuckleheaded moment. Close cousin to a clutch interlock switch, which requires the clutch to be fully depressed before the starter will work. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-09-2005, 04:29 PM	#4
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	I've seen it done once on a fairly decent 65 Mustang. He wound up bumping it into a workbench fairly hard. It prompted a minor front clip repair job. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-09-2005, 04:51 PM	#5
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Also the back-up light would not come on I am pretty sure. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

10-09-2005, 08:34 PM	#6
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	I ALWAYS BYPASS MINE, AS IT COMES IN PRETTY HANDY BEING ABLE TO START IT IN ANY POSITION, BUT THEN AGAIN I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO EVER DRIVES IT TOO. JOHN... DID YOU GET THE OIL LINE I SENT YOU O-K?? JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

10-09-2005, 04:09 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	With that being said... Has anyone here actually ever started a car while it was in gear on accident? Interesting that an automatic...which is 99.999% of the time parked in park was required to have the NSS WAY before the clutch interlock deal...which, on a stick shift car, 50% of the time you park it in gear.

10-09-2005, 08:38 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Mine is bypassed too. B/U lights hooked to a toggle, I've had to use them as work lights in the past, so I like this feature personally.

10-09-2005, 09:11 PM	#8
guyryan100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 483	would be nice to have backup lights in standard operation plus the ability to manually turn them on as work lights...

10-09-2005, 09:37 PM	#9
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	Ive seen a garage door or two that needed replacement because of no NSS.

10-09-2005, 09:38 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	That could be easily done too. Run power from a toggle switch, and then run it to the wire on the b/u switch plug that goes to the lights. This way, when you put it in gear, they come on through the stock switch power, and then when you want them on otherwise, hit the toggle and they'll light up. No need for diodes or anything.

10-09-2005, 09:43 PM	#11
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	can you pass inspection in texas with a manual switch style backup lights? that seems to be the route i'm headed with my shifter since it didn't come with a neutral safety/bu light switch, just want to know if it's legal. i'll probably have to hint the guy what the switch is for.

10-09-2005, 09:50 PM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	it has been a few years since I was there, but I know on my truck I was told I did not need them at all. I had to get the papers on the inspection since it had an out of state title... so as of 98, no you did not need back up lights at all.

10-09-2005, 09:56 PM	#13
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	hmm, well it's required by law, it all depends where you live though. people in rural areas get away with anything, while i have to go through the checklist in the city.

10-09-2005, 10:31 PM	#14
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	It wasn't on the list they had to check. I found it odd since it IS actually required by law...but when i looked it over, it wasn't listed. Being that I always drove junk, I was always checking out the inspection list...I normally ended up arguing with them and quoting there own papers to prove them wrong. We didn't have smog tests like you guys do though. This was in Killeen 150 or so miles south of you IIRC.

10-09-2005, 10:38 PM	#15
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	It's a 72, register it as an antique and never get another inspection sticker. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin



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10-09-2005, 11:26 PM	#17
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	USAA "navy" insurance. if you think that's cheap think again.

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