Need Neutral Safety Switch Info - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SoCal71K20 · 09-13-2002, 05:30 PM

Hey guys.My neutral safety switch has been acting up for the
past couple of weeks.It finally crapped out as I was leaving
work today.I went ahead and jumped it out to get me home.
I figured I'd look one up in the Brothers catalog.They got one
allright to the tune of $69.00.Just for laughs,I called the local
Auto Zone,and the had three of 'em at $6.99 ea.It is made by
Wells and is P/N DR411.I'm wondering what the difference in
quality is if any between the two?Also are there any tricks to
changing this simple looking switch out.It's on the bottom of
steering column on my 71 K20 with auto trans.Thanks.

71GMC_3/4T · 09-13-2002, 05:42 PM

Keep your jumper wire in the glove box and buy the cheap one.
It shouldn't be that hard to change out. I think there are a couple screws holding it onto the column. When you put it back together, make sure you engage the pin that sticks out of the column into the bottom of the switch. The switch mounting holes should be slotted to allow you to adjust it. You want to make sure it starts in Park and Neutral, and also that the backup lights work in Reverse.
My guess is the high dollar one is OEM. The wells one should work just fine. If it doesn't, you still have the wire...

tom hand · 09-13-2002, 05:56 PM

Buy the cheap one! If you ordered the $69 one it would not surprize me if it was the same switch.

**COBALT** · 09-13-2002, 06:08 PM

Napa has one for $10 that's pretty good quality if you're worried about that. I replaced it over a year ago with no problems.

09-13-2002, 05:30 PM	#1
SoCal71K20 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lemon Grove, California Posts: 152	Need Neutral Safety Switch Info Hey guys.My neutral safety switch has been acting up for the past couple of weeks.It finally crapped out as I was leaving work today.I went ahead and jumped it out to get me home. I figured I'd look one up in the Brothers catalog.They got one allright to the tune of $69.00.Just for laughs,I called the local Auto Zone,and the had three of 'em at $6.99 ea.It is made by Wells and is P/N DR411.I'm wondering what the difference in quality is if any between the two?Also are there any tricks to changing this simple looking switch out.It's on the bottom of steering column on my 71 K20 with auto trans.Thanks.

09-13-2002, 05:42 PM	#2
71GMC_3/4T Weapons Of Construction Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,095	Keep your jumper wire in the glove box and buy the cheap one. It shouldn't be that hard to change out. I think there are a couple screws holding it onto the column. When you put it back together, make sure you engage the pin that sticks out of the column into the bottom of the switch. The switch mounting holes should be slotted to allow you to adjust it. You want to make sure it starts in Park and Neutral, and also that the backup lights work in Reverse. My guess is the high dollar one is OEM. The wells one should work just fine. If it doesn't, you still have the wire... __________________ 1971 GMC 2500, 402/TH400 4.10 Daily Driver Lafayette, CO

09-13-2002, 05:56 PM	#3
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Buy the cheap one! If you ordered the $69 one it would not surprize me if it was the same switch. __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

09-13-2002, 06:08 PM	#4
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Napa has one for $10 that's pretty good quality if you're worried about that. I replaced it over a year ago with no problems. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

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