Neutral Safety Switch And Manual Tranmission

[2B32]

I am rewiring my 71 K20 with 4 spd manual trans. I know where the neutral safety switch connects to the steering column, but I don't see how that switch is relevant with a manual transmission.

Do I need the neutral safety switch with a manual trans? If I do, where does it connect?

[haysonj]

Install a switch on the clutch so it will have to be depressed to start like the newer cars

[Jurassic-1]

You can make a bracket under the dash and use a brake light switch to interrupt the starter wire. you can lengthen the factory purple wires and connect them to the new switch. It is very easy and will save damage if someone forgets to press the clutch when it is parked close to something.

[70short]

My truck at one time was a manual transmission. I converted it to a automatic several years ago and never had a neutral safety switch. Now I am installing a B & M floor shifter with a micro switch in the shifter. So what wires do I use to wire up a neutral safety switch

[70STOVEBOLT]

That switch you are referring to is a combination switch for the neutral safety and backup lights. The neutral safety part was only used on automatics.

[In The Ten Ring]

So a "neutral safety switch" makes it so the clutch has to be pressed down to start the engine?

I realize this is a safety feature but is it something that's really needed? Is it needed to work with more modern engines and transmissions?

[70short]

OK so what I'm asking is my new shifter comes with 2 micro switches. One for backup lights (and for that I need to dig out the connector that was on my old 4-speed) light green wire. And the neutral safety switch I'm assuming I need to make a cut in my purple ignition wire and wire the other micro switch on the shifter in line with the purple wire.

[KyleSeal]

I agree with the clutch switch. Much easier than putting a button on every gear. NAPA sells these switches cheap, they are threaded so they can be mounted to a bracket with a nut.

[CaptRMW]

We made it for most of the last 113 years without a neutral safety switch on most manual shift vehicles. Backup lights maybe but no neutral safety switch. Forgetting to push the clutch in will likely only happen once, a lot like forgetting to take it out of first gear on the early hand crank vehicles.

[Boog]

Thankfully the car makers figured out how to include one on standard shift vehicles. There have been too many serious injuries and deaths due to someone twisting the key with it in gear. My neighbor was jump starting one of his cars. He was standing between the cars when his daughter turned the key. He was pinned between the cars and received both legs broken.

[D.PASSMORE]

ACDelco GM Original Equipment-D1532F / Back Up Light Switch - Mounts on SM465 STD trans - back-up lights. No neutral safety for a stock 1971 GM standard shifter or steering column. Automatics had them on the steering column, wouldn't start unless in park.

[Wildstreak]

This is what I did, I just took a brake switch from another parts truck and put it in front of the clutch pedal. When the clutch is out the button is depressed and it wont start, push the pedal and it starts.