neutral switch

Unknown

Hi every one, i recently switched a steering column from a 53 super wasp into my 54 wasp and it has a neutral switch attached to the linkage for the heydro transmission. What puzzled me is that there were 3 wires going to it rather than 2 which I thought it would use. Could the third wire be for reverse lights?



Also, I ohmed out the switch and it seems to make only in reverse, is this correct that the cars will start only in reverse or am I missing something?



Jim

[Deleted User]

Jim, the switch is backwards. It should only be open in neutral, since reverse is all the way at the other end of the shift you must have the linkage wrong. Mine is spring loaded and goes to neutral if the linkage is unhooked from the switch so that the car will start. Mine only has two wires but I heard there are switches with three wires on the older models.



Harry

Walt-LA

Adjustment of the switch is on p. 11-38 of the Mechanical Procedure Manual for stepdowns. see fig. 64. in addition to he switch connections for the ignition (have screws), on the '51 and '52 switches which I have, there are two poles (take female bullet connectors) which can be used for backup lights. Walt-LA

Unknown

thanks Harry and Walt, I'm confused, the neutral switch should only allow the car to start out of gear, right? If that is the case then the switch should close in a safe gear such as neutral or park. If there is no park as on these dual range hydromatics then it should only start in neutral?? What serves as a parking gear?

Walt, I wish I had a mechanical procedure manual as it would save me from asking all these questions. Trouble is buying and getting one shipped to Canada is astronomical price....someday.

Harry, shouldn't the switch be closed to start the engine?

Unknown

Oh yeah, Walt, the switch has the screw teminals and the bullet terminals. The donor car for this had the screw terminals used and only one of the bullet terminals used , any thoughts about that?

[Deleted User]

Jim, I'm trying to remember, I ran a continuity test on mine when I replaced it. I think the switch closes to allow juice to the solenoid when you are starting, otherwise it is open in all other gears to avoid starting. On the Hash there are only two poles, one from ignition and the other to the solenoid hot post. On my Hydramatic the reverse gear acts as a parking gear but you can not start in it. I wish I had the extra poles as I want to add back-up lights.



Harry

SuperDave

Jimalberta wrote:

thanks Harry and Walt, I'm confused, the neutral switch should only allow the car to start out of gear, right? If that is the case then the switch should close in a safe gear such as neutral or park. If there is no park as on these dual range hydromatics then it should only start in neutral?? What serves as a parking gear?

Walt, I wish I had a mechanical procedure manual as it would save me from asking all these questions. Trouble is buying and getting one shipped to Canada is astronomical price....someday.

Harry, shouldn't the switch be closed to start the engine?

Reverse serves as the "park" ....With engine off.

Walt-LA

Ditto Super Dave. Reverse serves as park.



Jim,



The neutral safety switch closes (allows current to flow) only when the lever on the switch is in the correct position. This is about 1/16 of an inch away from its stop, and requires adjusting in place, with the shift lever in neutral. I'll send you a scan of the procedure.



The back-up lights can be wired through the two remaining posts on the switch. One is for the power supply, the other connects to the light(s). It will only close/work when the shift lever is in reverse. Power to the switch can come from the ignition switch (lights work only when the ignition is on, and shift lever in reverse), the dash light switch is in the headlight position (have lights when headlights are on and lever in reverse), battery direct (have lights anytime lever is in reverse). Not much sense in having back-up lights wired through park position as would lose supply when headlights turned on.



I don't have lights, but believe I'd use the headlight switch option.



Walt-LA

Unknown

Jim



I will scan the adjustment procedure and the wiring diagram for you tonite. Send an email to kdcsanjuana@aol.com (drop the kdc) with 54 Wasp in the subject line. I will send the diagrams by email.