View Full Version : Clutch Safety Switch
As I'm under the pedal box fixing my leaking clutch master cylinder I thought I'd fix my other clutch issue which is the safety switch gets stuck quite often. The push rod (lack of a better word) of the safety switch gets stuck so it doesn't think the clutch is pressed resulting in the engine not turning on.
Can you neutralize the clutch safety wire by wiring the two ends together? Seems logical to me, but thought I'd check with the experts before cutting. Build has a TKO 600 trans with the RF wiring.
Thanks
edwardb
09-02-2021, 03:24 PM
Yes, but then the safety boys will come out of the crowd. Like me. All the switch is doing is completing the starting circuit to the starter. So with the two ends tied together, your starter will spin any time you hit the key. Clutch in or out. If in gear, well you know the rest. Figure out the switch. It's not hard to get working properly. That's my take.
Great, thanks. I plan on replacing the switch with a better one when I go under for the big fix. Just wanted a fix for the immediate.
hineas
09-02-2021, 10:11 PM
The right answer is to get it working right.
On the other hand, you will most likely be fine without it.
I drove an old CJ7 with a 302 engine and there was no safety switch. You could crank the engine in 1st gear and the Jeep would jump forward. However, the habit of having clutch in before starting is a strong habit and I personally never had an issue. It DID happen once when a friend tried to start and move it as a joke. She only had driven an automatic in the past and didn't know. Luckily no damage was done and she immediately released the key when it jumped forward. It successfully scared her, though!
CraigS
09-03-2021, 06:35 AM
Another option 'may' be a neutral switch on the trans. My TKO500 had one and wiring it was easier for me than a clutch switch.
OSU Cowboy
09-03-2021, 07:30 AM
I had an extra Ron Francis toggle switch (the ones rated at 35 amps) as the plating on the toggle was chipped when received - so I got a replacement from them - which resulted in having an extra one.
I wired the clutch safety to that toggle mounted up under the dash biased to the left side on the 2x2 chassis rail. I consider it sort of security feature when it's parked anywhere but my place. My early vehicles were all standard transmission with no clutch safety switch. No argument that my approach is not the safest that it could be ... but it's my build and no one really drives it except me.
RoadRacer
09-03-2021, 08:25 AM
Another option 'may' be a neutral switch on the trans. My TKO500 had one and wiring it was easier for me than a clutch switch.
This ^
I wired up both on my TKO600, just in case, and because it was easy. But if you had the neutral switch wired up too, you could have some peace of mind with a temporary bypassing of the clutch switch..
Blitzboy54
09-03-2021, 10:14 AM
I can't imagine ever turning the key without the clutch depressed but you never know. It's an easy fix and I'll bet you can find any number of inexpensive replacement options. You can uses the transmission switch like others have stated and it will work reliably but you will need to run those 2 wires to it. Depending on how finished your car is it might be a hassle, but certainly doable.
JohnK
09-03-2021, 10:50 AM
Are we talking about this switch?
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If so, I'm not following this discussion. It's literally a 2 minute operation to unscrew one nut and replace the switch. It will take you just as long to splice the two wires together, and likely 10x as long to wire a transmission neutral safety switch. Just order a new clutch switch and be done with it, IMO.
Yes, that switch. As I said, I'm replacing it. I was asking as I was stranded a gas station trying to get the rod to pop out. Had to take the entire switch out and use pliers to get it to pop out. It'll be replaced in a week.
D Stand
09-04-2021, 11:30 AM
Yes all that is needed it for the two wires to be connected together to allow cranking. Another suggestion for when you are in there changing the switch is wire up an additional momentary switch in parallel. This could be installed under the dash just for if it happens again. Making sure it is momentary eliminates the safety issues as you still have to be thinking about it before turning the key and at that time I would hope that you are pressing the clutch in…
The TKO 600 does have a built in neutral safety switch if you choose to do that in the future. I wired mine in parallel so if one fails the other should work. Good luck with the repair.
chuckster
09-05-2021, 11:45 AM
I wired a momentary switch in parallel, just so when I’m working on the car I don’t need to get in the car to start it. The switch is red to remind me to check that the car is in neutral.
chmhasy
09-05-2021, 12:12 PM
I wired a momentary switch in parallel, just so when I’m working on the car I don’t need to get in the car to start it. The switch is red to remind me to check that the car is in neutral.
Depending on the transmission there is a neutral switch in the transmission that can be wired in with the ignition systwm will allow the car to be started in neutral, other wise the car will not start.
AC Bill
09-05-2021, 01:02 PM
I guess I'm just OG, when it comes to needing a clutch switch. None of my other manual tranny vehicles had one since I was old enough to drive, neither does the roadster.
Never been an issue.
WIS89
09-06-2021, 09:21 AM
D Stand and Chuckster-
I am sorry to take this post a bit tangentially, but I was hoping to get some clarification from you about your suggestion to run an additional switch in parallel.
Any chance you could walk me through this process. You need to speak to me as you would a pre-school child, as I am very stupid and slow when it comes to wiring. I apologize in advance, but I am also self-aware! While I took electrical engineering classes in college, I did poorly and barely escaped with my life.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Regards,
Steve
Norm B
09-06-2021, 10:48 AM
MVTV, it sounds like you had your safety switch set too high and the switch was being bottomed out when the clutch was fully depressed. When you instal the new one set it as low as you can and then adjust it up until the starter will engage only when the clutch is fully depressed.
For Steve, here are a couple of crude drawings of the Clutch Safety Switch wiring. The first is with a momentary switch in parallel with the clutch switch. If switches are in parallel, activation of either switch will complete the circuit. The second drawing includes an anti theft switch. This switch can be on either wire of the clutch switch circuit. This switch is said to be in series with the other switches. Both switches have to be closed in order to complete the circuit.
HTH
Norm
D Stand
09-06-2021, 01:59 PM
Here is my simple diagram showing two switches in parallel. Either one or both closed will allow the circuit to be completed. On my build the second switch is the neutral safety switch on the TKO 600. So if I have my clutch in or the transmission in neutral this circuit will allow the starter to turn over the engine.
Hope this helps, Dale
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