Wiring A Safety Switch

[SuperHart]

I would like to wire a safety switch to prevent starting the engine unless the clutch pedal is depressed. Has anyone done it this way? If so, please tell me how you did it and what parts I would need. I was thinking about rigging a brake light switch on the clutch pedal that would flow current when the pedal is depressed but I'm not exactly sure how to complete the wiring. any help is appreciated.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by SuperHart

I would like to wire a safety switch to prevent starting the engine unless the clutch pedal is depressed. Has anyone done it this way? If so, please tell me how you did it and what parts I would need. I was thinking about rigging a brake light switch on the clutch pedal that would flow current when the pedal is depressed but I'm not exactly sure how to complete the wiring. any help is appreciated.

If your clutch pedal comes out from a box under the floorboard then using the same setup that your brake has in that box probably would not be difficult. If your clutch comes down from the top then fabbing something would be the way to go or you could put the switch down on the slave. Either way, I think you need to have a handy switch that will allow you to use the starter motor to move the car. If your car dies, and will not start, but will crank, in the middle of an intersection you'll be glad you did.

[SuperHart]

I get your point. What I want is to prevent the starter from operating unless the clutch pedal is depressed. One time I left the car in gear instead of using the E-brake and someone else jumped in and turned the key nearly causing an accident. I'm really not worried about being able to move the car by using the starter motor. I would guess that I would need to mount a brake light switch on the clutch pedal bracket similar to the one on the brake pedal and then wire it into the hot wire from the ignition switch to the starter relay. Does that sound correct to everyone? If I needed to use the starter motor to move the car I could always bypass the switch. Just wondering of my idea is correct based on what others have done.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by SuperHart

I get your point. What I want is to prevent the starter from operating unless the clutch pedal is depressed. I'm really not worried about being able to move the car by using the starter motor. I would guess that I would need to mount a brake light switch on the clutch pedal bracket similar to the one on the brake pedal and then wire it into the hot wire from the ignition switch to the starter relay. Does that sound correct to everyone? If I needed to use the starter motor to move the car I could always bypass the switch. Just wondering of my idea is correct based on what others have done.

You could wire the clutch pedal switch in parallel with the neutral switch coming out of the trans so that if either switch was engaged you would have power to the starter solenoid. That would not be difficult to do. I will tell you that earlier this summer I was doing something trivial under the hood and reached in the driver's side to crank the engine knowing full well that I had left it in neutral and lo and behold the car lurched forward. Fortunately it did not catch and drive off without me. All I can figure is that pesky elves put it in gear while I wasn't looking as I am positive that I left it in neutral.

[mr0077]

Superhart, what you're thinking about doing would work, but one small detail to consider: The brake switches are typically short-throw switches that energize the brake lights with little movement of the brake pedal, whereas the clutch safety switches used on factory-built manual shift cars energize at the bottom of the clutch pedal travel to insure the clutch is actually disengaged; that is, they are set to make contact when the clutch pedal bottoms out. You might want to take a look at a factory setup, or rig yours so the pedal makes contact with (and energizes) the switch when the pedal hits the floorboard. With a regular brake switch at the top of the pedal travel, you could probably start the car by just taking up the slack in the clutch pedal, while the clutch still engaged.

[J Persons]

If you're using a T5 gearbox, they should have a neutral safety switch already installed. The transmission has to be in neutral for the starter to engage. I've been using this switch for over three years without problems.

[Ronbo]

If you lack the neutral switch, (also built-in to TKO's) the easiest way would be to use a hydrolic switch like one used on the brakes.

Other than that a trip to NAPA for a switch from just about any car will do. Keep in mind the swtich is somewhat special as it's designed to travel much past it's "make" point.

Wouldn't hurt to have a bypass switch hidden under the dash in case something fouls.

[SuperHart]

It seems to me, then, that either way would accomplish the same results. My personal "habit" is to leave the tranny in gear instead of using the E-brake and depress the clutch pedal before starting the engine. Hence, the thought about that option. My T-5 does indeed have the neutral safety switch installed in the top cover but I have no idea if it is actually operational. I could attempt to access the switch and see if it is. Using that switch would eliminate the need for a new switch and bracket on the clutch pedal arm. Either way, would the switch in question be wired into the hot wire from the ignition switch going to the starter relay? That would sound most logical.

By the way, talking about E-brakes, a little tidbit for anyone using a Ford rear disk brake setup such as that found on the 1978-79 Lincoln Versailles. The brake pads used in these calipers utilize the E-brake handle to self-adjust, similar to backing up with a drum style braking system. The pads self-adjust each time the E-brake is applied. Therefore, not using the E-brake can eventually result in a loss of braking effectiveness in the rear brakes and a spongey pedal.

[mr0077]

Thanks for the reminder about the brakes...I rarely use mine too.

On the switch installation, if you have/use a 2-wire switch it could go in-line between the ignition switch and the starter relay, but if it is a 1-wire switch you would have some work to do (add a relay to make/break the starter circuit).