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  •  » Manual transmission neutral start control

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    7/11/2016 7:11 AM  #1

    retired 65
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: nixa, mo.
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 336

    Manual transmission neutral start control

    I have a situation where I need to somehow install a  neutral start switch and wires on a clutch  pedal assembly for a manual trans. application.  The vehicle is a '65 Fastback with a top loader trans. and Hurst shifter assembly and hydraulic clutch actuation.  The pedal assy. under the dash is stock.  Can someone tell or show me how they have done it if they did it on their Mustang?  Pictures maybe?  Thanks  Jerry

    "when I drop something, it always goes to center of the car"
     

    7/11/2016 7:25 AM  #2

    GPatrick
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,084

    Re: Manual transmission neutral start control

    One option could be a hydraulic brake light switch.  This is a link to a Painless wiring low pressure switch and Summit lists a wide selection of wire connections and different actuation pressures.  Seems like the plumbing changes would be minimal and you wouldn't have to mess with trying to make a switch work off of the pedal. The part description says spade connectors and no harness so the picture may not match the actual switch.   https://www.summitracing.com/oh/parts/prf-80174/overview/

     

    7/11/2016 4:40 PM  #3

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: Manual transmission neutral start control

    Or a normally CLOSED momentary contact switch that closes the circuit when the clutch pedal is depressed would be real easy.  Make a bracket so the switch is mounted to the pedal support and is depressed by the clutch pedal when the pedal is in static position.  When the clutch pedal is pushed, releasing the switch plunger to its normal position, the switch will make contact internally and allow the car to start.  This would go into the wire that activates the starter solenoid.

    I find it easier to hook up a switch in this configuration than it is to hook one up where pushing the clutch pedal pushes the switch.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    7/12/2016 6:59 AM  #4

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 2,208

    Re: Manual transmission neutral start control

    I agree w/MS's recommendation.
    Although I do have a question, why do you feel you need this feature?

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    7/12/2016 1:09 PM  #5

    hmartin025
    I FYI 24-7

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    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 365

    Re: Manual transmission neutral start control

    I agree, why have clutch switch? I started driving in 1949 and got by very well till present. Just sumpin else to go wrong?

     

    7/13/2016 5:38 AM  #6

    retired 65
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: nixa, mo.
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 336

    Re: Manual transmission neutral start control

    BobE wrote:

    I agree w/MS's recommendation.
    Although I do have a question, why do you feel you need this feature?

    Well,llllllllllllll, I hate to admit it, but I did a bonehead mistake.  I got in a hurry while aligning the front suspension and left the car in gear and needed to move it back and forward and being used to automatic vehicles, even though I had driven vehicles with a stick since I was 15 years old, when I hit the switch, you guessed it, it started, and before I could get to the clutch, I ran car into a table and radiator went into fan blade.  "Dumb" I know"  I've already beat myself up muchly and I should know better, but like I said, I got in a hurry without putting mind in gear.  Soooooooo, I thought I would try to fix "dumb"  Thank's  for all's help. Jerry 
     

    "when I drop something, it always goes to center of the car"
       •Thread Starter
     

    7/13/2016 7:13 AM  #7

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: Manual transmission neutral start control

    retired 65 wrote:

    BobE wrote:

    I agree w/MS's recommendation.
    Although I do have a question, why do you feel you need this feature?

    Well,llllllllllllll, I hate to admit it, but I did a bonehead mistake.  I got in a hurry while aligning the front suspension and left the car in gear and needed to move it back and forward and being used to automatic vehicles, even though I had driven vehicles with a stick since I was 15 years old, when I hit the switch, you guessed it, it started, and before I could get to the clutch, I ran car into a table and radiator went into fan blade.  "Dumb" I know"  I've already beat myself up muchly and I should know better, but like I said, I got in a hurry without putting mind in gear.  Soooooooo, I thought I would try to fix "dumb"  Thank's  for all's help. Jerry 
     

    Unfortunately, DUMB cannot usually be fixed by attempting to idiot-proof the process.  Fortunately, you are intelligent enough to learn from your experience and I am quite confident you will NEVER allow this to happen again, switch or no switch!

    Like I keep telling everybody... I did NOT learn all this neat stuff by doing it RIGHT the first time!

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    7/13/2016 11:26 AM  #8

    Bolted to Floor
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    From: Houston, Texas
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,918

    Re: Manual transmission neutral start control

    I hate learning stuff the hard way, its followed by $$$$$. I would rather think about what I spent on the car than what I paid for mistakes in dollars and blood over a lifetime!!

    Engineering controls are the best means of preventing future accidents.

    The right contact switch, NO at end of pedal travel or NC at static position, will work no doubt. If you go with the NC contact and your clutch engages close to the floor, then you have the chance to start the engine before the clutch is fully disengaged. Like holding the key to start, then pushing in the clutch. I did stupid stuff as a teenager and early twenties!!

     

    John  -- 67 Mustang Coupe 390 5 speed
     

    7/13/2016 11:56 AM  #9

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 3,786

    Re: Manual transmission neutral start control

    This discussion brings back the memories of the starter switch being under the clutch pedal and the pedal had to be floored for the engine to turn over.
     Could I be the only one here that ever drove  cars like that?

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    7/13/2016 5:30 PM  #10

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,462

    Re: Manual transmission neutral start control

    Ever drive one with the starter on the floor?!!
    Grew in in a "hilly" area of North Ga. Try to start one on a hill...... with one foot on brake....one foot pushing in the clutch...one foot on the gas...one foot mashing the durn starter.......with some clown behind you blowing the horn!!!!
    Even if you "got three legs"..... you're STILL one foot short.
    S-I-M-P-L-E.(yeah right)  put the tranny in neutral.....one foot on brake....one heel on gas...one toe on starter.(wave that clown-with-the-horn-issue around!)
    6s6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    7/15/2016 10:35 AM  #11

    BobE
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 2,208

    Re: Manual transmission neutral start control

    retired 65 wrote:

    BobE wrote:

    I agree w/MS's recommendation.
    Although I do have a question, why do you feel you need this feature?

    Well,llllllllllllll, I hate to admit it, but I did a bonehead mistake.  I got in a hurry while aligning the front suspension and left the car in gear and needed to move it back and forward and being used to automatic vehicles, even though I had driven vehicles with a stick since I was 15 years old, when I hit the switch, you guessed it, it started, and before I could get to the clutch, I ran car into a table and radiator went into fan blade.  "Dumb" I know"  I've already beat myself up muchly and I should know better, but like I said, I got in a hurry without putting mind in gear.  Soooooooo, I thought I would try to fix "dumb"  Thank's  for all's help. Jerry 
     

    Well OK then, I understand you would want to do that again.  (doing it twice would differently be dumb!)
     

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

     

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