Neutral Safety Switch--Can It Be Repaired??

[Paul C.]

My neutral safety switch (NSW) stopped working on my 71, 4 speed.

The electronics from 1971 can't be too advanced and I know there are quite a few engineers on this discussion board--so the question is can I take it apart and repair it?

I have a friend with a does nothing but repair and build electronic devices--has a computer degree that could do the work. Anyone know exactly what's inside the NSW and how it operates--must be pretty simple---power in & power out.

Don't want to buy a new one--like keeping everything original. THANK YOU for your HELP!!

[Bob R.]

Re: Neutral Safety Switch--Can It Be Repaired??

Did you check to see if it is still connected to the transmission properly. I think it is held in place by two screws to the rear of the transmission side cover, if either of the screws is loose or missing and the switch moves it won't work. Then I would trace the wires and make sure they are connected properly.

[Paul C.]

Re: Neutral Safety Switch--Can It Be Repaired??

This is the NSW that is under the dash and prevents the car from starting unless the clutch is depressed. Has a purple wire and purple/white line wire. Not the switch on the trans.

Does anyone know if you can bu a new one from say Eklers or Wilcox (looks like original) and then put the electronic guts in the original one?

[Joe R.]

Re: Neutral Safety Switch--Can It Be Repaired??

Paul,

Does your switch look like this one? This is what is currently available.
Have these in inventory.

JR

[Paul C.]

Re: Neutral Safety Switch--Can It Be Repaired??

No, it does not. I think that one is for an automatic transmission not a manual. Looks like this.

[Joe R.]

Re: Neutral Safety Switch--Can It Be Repaired??

That looks like a reverse light switch that goes on the transmission. Don't know anything about C-3 Corvettes anyway.

Sorry,

JR

[Mike H.]

Re: Neutral Safety Switch--Can It Be Repaired??

This is not a Neutral safety switch. The one Joe posted is a combo NSS and Reverse light switch, interior mount for automatics. The 4 speeds don't have a NSS, they have a clutch engagement switch (the photo Paul added is this). I have rebuilt a few of these for cars that we are repairing at the shop. It's not a very easy switch to get to either - and isn't the only thing that can fail, often customers believe it is this and it is relay / wiring related. Bypass the switch and see if the issue is resolved prior to removing it.

[Paul C.]

Re: Neutral Safety Switch--Can It Be Repaired??

Sorry about calling it the wrong name. I bypassed it and the car started. How do you rebuild it. I have it out--what a pain. It will be 2x as hard to reinstall. Thanks

[Peter M.]

Re: Neutral Safety Switch--Can It Be Repaired??

Hi Paul,
I think the part number is 1993495. There is one on Ebay but the listing is from September.
I don't know the part history, so you would have to look at the photo and compare it to yours.
Perhaps Joe Lucia will comment.
Kind Regards,
Pete

[Joe L.]

Re: Neutral Safety Switch--Can It Be Repaired??

Hi Paul,
I think the part number is 1993495. There is one on Ebay but the listing is from September.
I don't know the part history, so you would have to look at the photo and compare it to yours.
Perhaps Joe Lucia will comment.
Kind Regards,
Pete

Pete-----

GM #1993495 is the part number for the clutch operated safety switch. The same part was used from 1969 through 1981 for Corvettes with manual transmissions. It was discontinued without supersession over 10 years ago.

This switch rarely fails but if it does there is a reproduction of this switch on the market. The reproduction is very close to the originals in external configuration but there are some slight differences. There are also usually many NOS originals for sale on eBay.