69 cad neutral safety switch

[1969cadillac]

hello !

I am restoring the steering column on a 69 limo

the starter / neutral safety switch appears to have a problem :

it wont do into drive 2 or drive 1 .- I am scared to force it and break it!

I seem to remember that it used to be ok BEFORE I took it off the column and started to move it by hand .

any ideas please ?

Murray Mules

[35-709]

This is for 1973!  May or may not be the same for yours --- assuming you do not have or have not read the '69 manual for your car.

From the 1973 shop manual ---
"#1.  Place transmission shift lever in NEUTRAL detent.

#4.  Install switch assembly on steering column, aligning contact carrier blade with slot in shift tube.  And the part often missed --- With switch tight against column, slide switch down column until bosses on casting rest on bottom edge of slot in outer jacket.  Bosses extend below the mounting surface.

#5. Place clamp on switch and install screw to tighten clamp making sure that shift lever is in NEUTRAL detent while this operation is performed.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I think the factory settings are for a new switch, where the lever is in the correct location when purchased.

In the case of a removed switch, it will depend of what position the shift lever was in when the switch was removed.

But, in this case, I would be suggesting that the plastic arm be positioned in the centre of travel, and the gear lever the same, and it should simply slip into position.

The secret is to not force things.    And carefully check the operation before securing the clamp.

Bruce.

[35-709]

Yes, but not that hard to move the plastic "blade" and find the neutral position with a small diameter drill bit.  There is a hole for it, done it on a couple of occasions.

[35-709]

For purposes of illustration, below is a picture of a NSS from a '73 Cadillac with a drill bit inserted to show the "slider" is in the neutral position.  There is a notch in the inside "slider" that will line up with the notch in the outside plastic piece and as you slowly slide the blade, the drill bit (a 3/32 in this case) will fall into that notch in the slider --- neutral.

Before doing that you can move the slider through its travel to check that the contacts inside are working the back-up lights with a continuity tester and that a connection is made to allow starter operation in only Park and Neutral.

[1969cadillac]

hello Bruce - I have fitted the switch as per instructions

pls see pics attached

it does appear to work now - but there is some resistance going from drive to D2 and to D1 - is this normal?

I also notice that there appears to be a hole in the face of the switch that seems to line up with the drive position

thanks for your help - Murray

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I have found that when operating the switch off the column, it can be rather stiff in operation, but one has to remember that it is a rotational switch, and not a simple straight movement.

I have found the best way is to hold the plastic "arm" with a pair of needle-nose pliers, and turn the pliers in a circle.   This stops the switch from trying to dig into the sides of the outer.

As for resistance, yes, there is some, and if you manually operated the switch, you might have noticed it.

Plus, there is resistance as the operation of the gear lever is also rolling over the detents within the transmission.

Bruce.

[1969cadillac]

hello Bruce - I think I have got it now - thanks for your help !

I have also replied to you about  my question about the speedo head  - please read and see what you think - I mistakenly put this one under general discussion !

Murray