'61 Powerglide Neutral Safety Switch

[Peter V.]

My NSS is not functioning properly - relay is fine. Car won't start in any gear after it has warmed up. If it needs a rebuild, who can I call? Already spoke with John Pirkle (who graciously declined).

[Mike M.]

Re: '61 Powerglide Neutral Safety Switch

sure the relay is fine when it heats up? the relay is much more heat sendsitive than the NSS(which is available from corvette central). good lcuk,mike

[Peter V.]

Re: '61 Powerglide Neutral Safety Switch

Mike,

We used both the original relay and a modern version. Same result. Would prefer to rebulid the original. Any ideas?

[Edward J.]

Re: '61 Powerglide Neutral Safety Switch

Peter, I am not a c-1 guy,but sometimes GM switchs are easy to take apart and clean the contacts. maybe Mike would know if you can disassy these switchs.I would think there a sliding contact style switch.

[Mike M.]

Re: '61 Powerglide Neutral Safety Switch

to test the NSS, connect an ohm meter to the wires and rotate the lever to see if the on-off function is intact.mike

[Las K.]

Re: '61 Powerglide Neutral Safety Switch

Peter, As we started with the previous messages, I couldn't find anyone to fix my NSS so I decided to find out what makes it work and it really isn't that difficult. Don't be afraid of it because you can fix it. For your problem, you are looking at 2 different items which need to work together.

First on the relay switch. If you have the original #904, call John Pirkle in Augusta Ga. at 706-860-9047. He fixed mine and it has been working for the past 4 years. His prices are very reasonable. If you don't have the original, order a replacement from Corvette Central p/n 591050. ($40.00)

Now on the NSS, it's nothing more than working on and cleaning a set of points. Go to your manual, sect. 313 sheet 2, and confirm that you have the rod #3779319. If it's missing, the switch position will not rotate as required.
Now let's get started on repair. Find the area which has the tabs holding the 2 pieces together and mark them for re-assembly reference. You're going to fold back the tabs which hold the 2 pieces together and as always with a 50 year old item, be careful. Hold the parts together so the they do not spring apart, and pay attention to positioning. From here, all you do is clean and insure contact as the switch rotate. Also, this is a good time to confirm that you have a good solder joint for the wire. Not trying to make it sound that easy, but if I can do it, so can you. Good luck.

Wish that I had taken some pictures to post, so I'm asking you to do it for future reference.

[Peter V.]

Re: '61 Powerglide Neutral Safety Switch

Many thanks, Las. I'll give it the old college try! Wish me luck. Peter

[Bruce B.]

Re: '61 Powerglide Neutral Safety Switch

Peter,
I have a 61-62 Corvette NSS part number 1993566 which I bought for my 62 which I found I did not need, I had a bad relay.
In testing the switch function I have found that there are 4 points in the circle where the switch makes contact. This might be for use in different applications so the arm can be oriented differently.
Does anyone know if the 4 contact points are present in all the NSS?
Good luck with your repair job.
Bruce B

[Las K.]

Re: '61 Powerglide Neutral Safety Switch

from previous ncrs posts, the 566 will not work for the 61 application. check archives for details.

[Bruce B.]

Re: '61 Powerglide Neutral Safety Switch

Las,
I read the previous postings and one stated that the 62 NSS would not work because the 61 and earlier T10 transmissions had cast iron cases.
Thats true but the tail shafts were all aluminum from early in 4 speed production. The shifters were also the same from 1960 through 1962.

So, does anyone know why the 62 switch won't work on a 61 transmission?

[John H.]

Re: '61 Powerglide Neutral Safety Switch

Las,
I read the previous postings and one stated that the 62 NSS would not work because the 61 and earlier T10 transmissions had cast iron cases.
Thats true but the tail shafts were all aluminum from early in 4 speed production. The shifters were also the same from 1960 through 1962.

So, does anyone know why the 62 switch won't work on a 61 transmission?

Bruce -

Isn't this about Powerglides, not T-10's? The cast iron Powerglides (through '61) are configured completly differently than the new '62 aluminum Powerglide.

[Bruce B.]

Re: '61 Powerglide Neutral Safety Switch

John,
Correct, Powerglide not T10, my mistake.
Also 61 Cast iron PG was much different from the 62 aluminum PG.

[Peter V.]

Re: '61 Powerglide Neutral Safety Switch

I found Mike Hack at Eastern Corvettes in Ohio who rebuilt the switch and was able to test it outside the vehicle (for safety reasons). Not sure anybody else offers this service.