[HELP] Truck starts without pressing clutch

[Camacorn]

So for some reason my truck starts even without pressing in the clutch...I know there's supposed to be some sort of neutral safety switch, but I'm not sure where to look for it.

It has a 90s steering column if that makes any difference.

Any help is appreciated.



PS; I can also start it without a key, but I heard that could be due to a worn out key cylinder?

[mongocanfly]

Not sure what year truck you have but on my 81 you can get to the clutch switch by removing the metal and plastic panels that are beneath the steering column at the bottom of the dash..the switch is located on the clutch assembly..as for your key switch it sounds like its worn out,, I had one like that once..

[1976gmc20]

It's a feature, not a bug

They usually fail in the other direction. My 1976 comes unplugged once in a while, usually on a cold dark rainy night, and I have to crawl under the dash to push it back in tight.

On my 1977 Suburban, for some reason that I don't now remember I "jumpered" the plug with a U-shaped piece of bare wire taped in so that I could start it in gear. Actually pretty handy if you're not an idiot

[Camacorn]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Not sure what year truck you have but on my 81 you can get to the clutch switch by removing the metal and plastic panels that are beneath the steering column at the bottom of the dash..the switch is located on the clutch assembly..as for your key switch it sounds like its worn out,, I had one like that once..

Awesome, but what should it be wired to?
Posted via Mobile Device

[mongocanfly]

The switch wires into the trucks harness with a plug connector..you can get a new switch at a local parts store .it will look similar to this...styles may vary. The way it works is when you mash the clutch it completes the switch/crank circuit..its a normally closed switch that opens when the "button" is mashed..I'm like 76.. it usually fails the other way in as it won't make the connection when you mash the clutch to allow the crank circuit to complete.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by Camacorn

Awesome, but what should it be wired to?
Posted via Mobile Device

The plug connector is white IIRC just like the switch.

If it's not plugged in and your truck starts, then the plug has been jumpered like I did to one of mine, probably with a piece of black tape over it.

Or else ... somebody cut the plug off and just twisted the two wires together