Where is '86 Neutral Safety Switch?

[jetmech85]

I suspect my neutral safety switch could be faulty, but I can't locate it. I have an '86 Suburban with 350 and 700R-4. I already bought a replacement and it looks like my backup light switch except it has more metal terminals on it. My original switch only has two metal terminals for the backup lights only. I always thought the neutral safety switch and backups were part of the same assy. I looked on three other '86 parts trucks and were all like mine, backups only.

[craig113]

inside cab, base of steering column at the fire wall

[jetmech85]

OK, I am reading on another forum that an '86 does not have a neutral safety switch. I have the original backup switch and no terminals for any other harness. Checked my driver and two parts trucks, no nss on any of them. Any other '86 owners ever run into this oddity?

[hatzie]

1986 Automatic transmission GMC & Chevy CK 10-30 Neutral Safety & Backup Lamp switch
ACDelco D2286A, Standard Motor Products NS41




The wiring diagrams only show backup lamps attached to that switch.
There may be a mechanical lockout. Can the key be turned from the run to the start position if the column isn't in park?

[Just call me Sean]

Yep, there's a mechanical lockout that prevents the key from turning.

[kalbert]

What are the symptoms you're having that is making you suspect a faulty neutral switch?

[jetmech85]

Yes that is the replacement switch I bought however my original switch does not have the metal terminal blades for the NSS. I understand they make a single part to fit more than one application. It seems that from what I am finding out that beginning in '86 they started using a mechanical lock-out that won't allow the key to rotate to the start position unless in park or neutral. That feature continued on to later years. Although in '87 and later the switches had a plug attached to the NSS postion, it was for computer information only and not a part of the starter circuit. So, after all that my problem was my three month old Powermaster starter took a dump. I tend to over look the new parts being faulty when troubleshooting.

[jetmech85]

Sorry, Sean, you posted while I was typing. Absolutely correct. Mechanical lockout.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by jetmech85

It seems that from what I am finding out that beginning in '86 they started using a mechanical lock-out that won't allow the key to rotate to the start position unless in park or neutral. That feature continued on to later years. Although in '87 and later the switches had a plug attached to the NSS postion, it was for computer information only and not a part of the starter circuit. So, after all that my problem was my three month old Powermaster starter took a dump. I tend to over look the new parts being faulty when troubleshooting.

Try '85 and later. '85 shows the same switch in the wiring diagrams as '86.
'85 & '86 have several unusual features.

'84 and prior have the neutral safety switch in the diagrams.

Originally Posted by jetmech85

Sorry, Sean, you posted while I was typing. Absolutely correct. Mechanical lockout.

That's why I asked. My 85 was a floor shift 4 speed so none of this applied to it.

[jetmech85]

My '85 is a floor shift also. It has a clutch petal position switch that someone has bypassed. I would like to restore it but they decided to throw away the connector. Its on my junk yard list.

[Just call me Sean]

My '83 has the mechanical lockout also.

[hatzie]

It may be part of the whole design change from floor dimmer button and wiper switch on the dash to the column mounted multi-switch.

[Just call me Sean]

I doubt it. I have a floor mounted dimmer and dash mounted wiper switch.