Neutral Safety Switch

[KarenLee]

I have a 1984 Chevy G30 and am wanting to know how to adjust the Neutral Safety Switch (NSS). I recently installed a new ignition switch and it was starting up just fine, then it didn't start. All dash lights light up, reverse lights remain on but no startup. In understanding the issues, I believe it is the NSS and it may be in Reverse, not Park, which is why the tail lights remain on. The NSS is on the base of the steering column, but has not screws, so I am assuming it is a snap mounted switch. How can I adjust it to see if that may get it started?

I attached a picture of the exact same one that is currently on my vehicle.

Thanks

 

[Sad Sack]

I'm going to learn thru you, so hopefully plenty will chime in!

 

[Chevy 88]

Test the switch.

Remove the coil wire, or otherwise disable the engine.

Then drop the trans down into 1st.

Hold the key in the start position and keep it there.

Move the shifter through all gears to see which ones make it crank.

 

[Frankenchevy]

Don’t think that’d be my preferred test methodology.

 

[CalSgt]

IIRC the adjustment on the switch is just held in place by small detents

Put the shifter in reverse and push the switch until the reverse lights come on, continue pushing until they go back off. Set the switch close to the center of that adjustment range.

Test to ensure the reverse lights are not on when shifted to neutral or Park. If they do come on make adjustments to the switch until the lights only turn on while in reverse

 

[KarenLee]

The G30 is an automatic...forgot to mention that. The reverse lights remain on, and the shifter is supposed to be in Park. I want to know how to adjust the NSS to get it into Park. Does it slide side to side? If I can't adjust it, I will remove the connector that I am assuming is for the Backup lights and get a screw driver or something similar and pop it out of there and install a new one. But, even if I do that, I want to know how I get it to be in the proper gear.

 

[CalSgt]

Does it slide side to side?

Yes...

Just slides left and right on top of the column. I put a sharpie witness mark on mine once it was adjusted just in case it got knocked out of whack I would know exactly where it was supposed to be set at. I did knock it out of adjustment twice after the column was installed, once while routing wires and another time routing the A/C ducting.

There shouldn't be any "Neutral" switch IIRC it only turns the reverse lights on & off, the Neutral safety is mechanically built into the column and physically prevents the ignition switch from turning unless in park or neutral.

 

[KarenLee]

Question. When I dropped the steering wheel column to install the ignition switch and when I got the steering column back on again, did that possibly readjust the Neutral Safety Switch? My Neutral Safety Switch is located at the base of the steering column. I am a bit confused, or not understanding. When I looked up the part number that is located on the switch at the base of the column, it states that it is a Neutral Safety Switch and Back up light switch. I do understand it's purpose, once I researched it a bit, but the mechanism that is on the switch (from all that I researched and videos I have watched) is supposed to move side to side as to position it in gears. Am I wrong?

What is IIRC refer to? Is that the part that is at the base of the column? So, since my vehicle doesn't start due to the Neutral Safety, how do I get it to start? I am very new to this, but do understand mechanical things a bit once it's explained to me.

 

[Goldie Driver]

Put the column in low and slide the switch all the way clockwise. Then put the column in park. That sliding style switch should automatically adjust for you. Make sure that tab is in the slot for it in the shift tube.

Hope this helps !

Britt

 

[KarenLee]

Put the column in low? Do you mean the shifting gear? So sorry, I am learning here as a woman. How do I slide the Neutral Safety Switch side to side? The part located at the base doesn't move that I know of. Where or how do I slide it side to side? Please forgive me for asking a question that may sound stupid to you guys that know, but I am a visual type and am trying to figure all of this out by what you are telling me, rather than seeing it done.

Found this video and this looks identical to my part.

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[Goldie Driver]

Put the column in low? Do you mean the shifting gear? So sorry, I am learning here as a woman. How do I slide the Neutral Safety Switch side to side? The part located at the base doesn't move that I know of. Where or how do I slide it side to side? Please forgive me for asking a question that may sound stupid to you guys that know, but I am a visual type and am trying to figure all of this out by what you are telling me, rather than seeing it done.

Sorry for any confusion. Just shift the column into low with the gearshift lever - pretty straightforward. If you look at that picture you attached you can see there is an 'outer' piece that can ratchet while the 'inner' piece remains mounted on the column. You just have to reach down after the column is in low and you will be able to ratchet that outer piece to the right, or clockwise, or towards the direction you pulled the shift lever if one of those 3 explanations makes more sense.

 

[xm20k]

With the switch mounted to the column.
Shift the gear lever into reverse.
Reach under the dash and push the upper half of the switch from one side or the other until the reverse lights come on, it will click as it moves.
May take a bit of back and forth to get it so the lights are only on in reverse and not park or neutral.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[KarenLee]

Ratchet that outer piece to the right?

I understand clearly to the right or in the direction I pulled the shifter, but what do you mean by Ratchet the piece? Never heard that term before. Like the Ratchet tool? I mean, it's all plastic. Sorry, if I seem like an idiot, but I am doing this myself.

 

[xm20k]

Ratchet that outer piece to the right?

what do you mean by Ratchet the piece? Never heard that term before.

It clicks as you push it around it has a bunch of adjustment spots, think of teeth on a zip tie

 

[KarenLee]

Thank you all so much for the help. I think I am understanding and that video that xm20k posted is so helpful. I get it now about it moving side to side and the click noise as it shifts.

I am so excited. Can't wait to try. The only thing I am concerned about is the ability to move it as easily as one of you guys make it look. You're able to loosen nuts and bolts, but I have to find some muscle at times to assist me.

THANK YOU! I will try this adjustment thing and if I run into a problem I will be back on to ask more questions. .