neutral-start switch question

[emoze]

curious about the "extra" terminal on right side of this switch

my '84 factory manual does not have it in any diagram -
(manual incorrectly refers to a diagram of the wiper switch)

i put a new one like this in a couple yrs go & it works fine with nothing connected to the mystery right terminal (iirc there was nothing attached on the old switch)

asking cuz i just had to re-adjust mine cuz the movable section has a tendency to drift leftward for unknown reasons - which can allow the rig to start "in gear"

(per manual , the movable section needs to be clockwise rotated to the right stop for correct operation) ( ... so this time mechanic's-wired it so it can't move )

picture clearly shows the right-hand tab & a brass trace all the way to the left -
(i checked to see if it goes to ground, but it does not, and iirc it is not "hot" with ign on)

What's it for?

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[Jgonick]

maybe?? - park/neutral signal to the ECM (circuit 434)

 

[emoze]

maybe?? - park/neutral signal to the ECM (circuit 434)

interesting thought - it is a universal fit-any sort of part - i don't have an ECM

 

[Ricko1966]

What years use a column interlock,instead of a neutral safety switch?

 

[Jgonick]

What years use a column interlock,instead of a neutral safety switch?

I believe mid 84 they switched-

Definitely 85 had column interlock


I'm not real familiar with ECMs , but what I've read, some vehicles would use the neutral safety switch to tell the ECM it was in park & would adjust idle.

 

[Sad Sack]

Like this example?

You must be registered for see images attach

Got from - https://www.caretxdigital.com/

Googling points to an ECM terminal on later apps for 5th terminal.

 

[Matt69olds]

That’s exactly what it’s for.

Some features (like power lift gate release) won’t work unless the ignition is on, and the shifter is in park. Other applications use that terminal as an input to the ecm for park.