Clutch safety switch

[Jim Nilsen]

I am looking for a switch to install on the pedal assembly of my 67 Camaro so that the car won't start unless the clutch is disengaged. I have tried a brake pedal switch but it will activate before the clutch is fully released. I just tried to use one of the brake light switches that has the adjustable levers but it will take some really elaborate bracketry to install it.

Does anyone know of a stock switch that would be easier to install and work like I intend it to?

What switch did you use?

[parsonsj]

Jim,

Have you considered a neutral safety switch? That's easier to do, and just as safe.

jp

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim,

Have you considered a neutral safety switch? That's easier to do, and just as safe.

jp

Hi John, I have considered it and it may be an alternate way to do it. I can use a lever type micro switch to do it with the clutch if needed but I am hoping that someone will have a simple stock switch that is less expensive and still easy to mount.

I never even had one for 10 yrs and if you forgot you knew right away:jawdrop: . When my bellcrank stud broke once I was able to put the car in 1st and turn the key and the car would start and imediatley take off even on a hill. I would then just power shift the car to get home and just take it out of gear to be able to stop.

I might just go with another brake light switch and it will keep it from starting if you don't depress the clutch at least an inch and I would still be able to get home like I did when the stud broke.

Why is it the little stuff like this can be the biggest pain to get installed.

:cheers:

[parsonsj]

My story without a neutral safety switch was when I went to start the car with the back tires on wheel dollies...

The dollies shot out of the back of the car and the car dropped 4 inches to the ground. Scared the crap out of me! I stopped what I was doing, disconnected the battery, and immediately installed a neutral safety switch.

jp

[Larry Callahan]

I am also trying to figure out how to do this. My Richmond 6 speed does not have a built in switch. Somebody must have figured out an easy way to do it.

[Vegas69]

My beamer has got me in a habit of starting with my foot on the brake. My chopper also has no safety switch. It's a good idea but I don't have it on my car. I didn't trust the TKO 600 switch to carry the load of the system.

[parsonsj]

I didn't trust the TKO 600 switch to carry the load of the system.You shouldn't. The TKO switch should only power (or ground) a relay that carries the current to the starter.

jp

[all wired]

although not optimal, you can connect that brake switch you have to your clutch assembly, then use a relay so that your foot has to be on the brake pedal (and the clutch) to start....

[Bow Tie 67]

Fourth gen cars use a Clutch pedal safety switch that is actuated ( depressed ) when the upper portion of the clutch pedal arm contacts it. ( the clutch has to be fully depressed ) This completes the circuit for the starter relays coil. The contact side of the starter relay then completes the ignition switch to starter coil circuit.

[Jim Nilsen]

Fourth gen cars use a Clutch pedal safety switch that is actuated ( depressed ) when the upper portion of the clutch pedal arm contacts it. ( the clutch has to be fully depressed ) This completes the circuit for the starter relays coil. The contact side of the starter relay then completes the ignition switch to starter coil circuit.

Sounds like what we are looking for. Are you able to get a pic of how it is mounted ?

[Bow Tie 67]

I will write myself a note ( old age ) and try to get a pic tonight. After hearing some of the stories I need to address this on mine.


Sounds like what we are looking for. Are you able to get a pic of how it is mounted ?

[Motown 454]

Check out American Auto wire they should have exactly what you want My 69 Z28 had one from the factory.

[DarkoNova]

Didn't manual cars have this from the factory? My car was an auto, so when I conveted it to manual I didn't worry about the neutral safety switch. I always leave the car in neutral anyway, so I've never had the scary experience of almost plowing through something in front of the car, lol.

Matt

[Bow Tie 67]

Here is the switch dead center in the pic, the clutch arm is at the top of the image.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/IMG_0013-1.jpg

Here is the switch depressed with the clutch pedal depressed. There is a bracket on the pedal arm that depresses it. Both views are with the camera pointing straight up from the floor.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/IMG_0012-1.jpg

[Jim Nilsen]

Here is the switch dead center in the pic, the clutch arm is at the top of the image.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/IMG_0013-1.jpg

Here is the switch depressed with the clutch pedal depressed. There is a bracket on the pedal arm that depresses it. Both views are with the camera pointing straight up from the floor.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/IMG_0012-1.jpg

Thanks for the pics, it's a little hard to see it but I finally caught it and it looks like it won't be that expensive. Now it's time to call for the part number and the price.

[jjump59]

my 70 GTO has a small cylinder type switch with a bracket attached. sorry no pics but i'll bet it would work very well.

[Overkill]

I used a micro switch like they send with nitrous kits.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/camaro_rebuild484-1.jpg

[67camaro972]

i used a generic brake switch for my car, 67 camaro, fab'd in a piece of metal and bent it over at a angle... drilled a hole in it, size of the switch... and welded it right next to the factory brake switch... so in essence i have 2 switches under the dash now.. one for the brake pedal.. one for the clutch pedal.. for the new switch, clutch pedal... i wired in a relay figuring that the amp draw on the starter solenoid/ purple wires be to much for the switch... to start the car now the clutch must be depressed. i also have a t-56 in the car... if u wire up the reverse lockout off the brake pedal switch.. be careful... when u hit the hazzards the reverse lockout will be going on and off a million times with every flash of the hazzards. I thought about using the new switch.. off the clutch to actuacte the reverse lockout.. after a lil thinking and sobering up, that would be a idiot move...got to press the clutch in anyways to make the bone head move of throwing it in reverse while moving forward.....

[Jim Nilsen]

I used a micro switch like they send with nitrous kits.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/camaro_rebuild484-1.jpg

That's pretty nifty too. How much do those switches cost?

Does it bend the rod a ways before it activates or is it touchy?

Thanks for the good pic.

[Bow Tie 67]

I like that idea better also. We use them on aircraft, I dont know the cost but you can bend the tab to adjust the actuation point.

[Overkill]

That's pretty nifty too. How much do those switches cost?

Does it bend the rod a ways before it activates or is it touchy?

Thanks for the good pic.

It's been a while since I bought and installed the switch, so I don't remember what I paid for sure. I did a search on Jeg's and it looks like a microswitch with a universal bracket run in the neighborhood of $15.

It isn't really that touchy. There is some play before the switch actually activates and of course you can adjust the bracket to a position that you want it to be for activation. From what I could see, the rod only bends just a little after the switch activates. In the picture it is showing with the pedal depressed and you can see that the rod is only bent a little bit.