1972 LeMans GTO Clone starts up while in gear.

[KingB]

I just purchased a completely restored 1972 LeMans (GTO Tribute) but I noticed that it will startup when gear shifter is in drive. What do I need to do to fix this. I consider this a a safety issue.

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

Sounds like your neutral safety switch is not alined or bypassed .


Doug in P.R.

 

[KingB]

Thanks. I guess I need too have a mechanic check it out

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

Is it a floor shift now? Probably was a column shifter before and they changed the steering column out for a floor shift one and never ran the wires to the floor shifter. May have been just too lazy to run new wires to the floor shift and just connected your column shift wires together. Does it start in reverse also?

Hopefully it isn't that and only an alignment issue with the neutral safety switch.

Doug in P.R.

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[melsg5]

I believe all A body cars from that time period whether console shifter or column shifter had the switch on the column. The steering column interlock with the shifter moved the lever on the switch.

 

[cammerjeff]

You are correct the neutral safety switch in mounted on the column for both shifter positions. If the car had headers installed on it at some point, the backdrive linkage would interfere with that linkage. Usually it was just removed, and the neutral safety switch would just be left in park. So the car would start.

My question is do your back up lights work? If not I think the neutral safety switch linkage is disconnected. If they do, then I think the bypassed the switch in the wiring.

Good luck, let us know what you find.

 

[KingB]

Thanks to all the responses. The switch is on the column and the shifter is in the floor. I was told the switch hasto be moved to the floor.

 

[melsg5]

Has the steering column shifter interlock been disconnected, that would be the only reason to change anything?
You were told by whom, somebody familiar with older cars?

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[cammerjeff]

They just did not get the correct parts for the backdrive linkage for the floor shifter when they did the swap, you could add one to the floor shifter, or look for the original style backdrive linkage, but if the car had headers installed the original linkage will not work without modification.