netural safety switch

Why do you need to bypass? ...it's more likely associated with the clutch pedal tho...you might be looking at something for the cruise control there.

Steve

I don't think there is such a thing. There's a switch that's depressed when the clutch pedal is pushed all the way home. Is that what you're thinking of?

That's the switch I'm talking about. I think the switch has gone south, so without it closing when the clutch pedal is depressed, there is no signal that the clutch is being depressed therefore when you turn the ignition, nothing happens.

The odd thing is that when I crossed the two posts on the starter it did not engage, however when I had it tested at the local auto parts store, it worked just fine and got about 110 volts, which makes me believe the clutch switch or neutral safety switch, as some refer to it, has gone south.

~S

Why do you need to bypass?

I need to bypass it to verify that it causes the car not to start when the clutch pedal is depressed.

you might be looking at something for the cruise control there.

My '93 doesn't have cruise control.

~S

Hi, If your dont hear any clicks (either from the starter's solenoid or the starter's relay (under the dash) it's probably the clutch pedal switch that is defective. I bypassed mine on a 96 Legacy manual. It should be about the same with your car. There are two wires connected to that switch. Disconnet those wires (push connector) and either bridge the two female with a short piece of wire with two male connectors at each end (leaves the option to revert to clutch pedal switch later on) or cut the two wires and solder or crimp them together (In effect, the clutch pedal switch put's the starter relay - under dash probably to the left of the steering column - to ground. I still push the clutch pedal to the floor before starting the engine, but it's not necessary anymore. Hope this is not too late to help. Good luck! Gilles, Montreal

It's probably better for your starter if you do, so it doesn't have to crank half of the transmission too (esp in winter).

I've never examined one of these, but I assume it's a switch wired in line with the starter relay (low voltage side), and when closed (clutch pedal depressed), allows current to flow, thus activating the starter relay.

If this is the case, wire around the (potentially) faulty switch and see if the starter'll engage.

I never seen such a thing. All of the cars I've owned would start "in gear" so long as the clutch was depressed all the way. Is this a Subaru you're speaking of?

Almost all new cars seem to do this now... the few left you can still get with a manual transmission, anyway. *grumble*grumble*

-DanD

The switch will either be normally open or normally closed. Cut one of the leads (leave some wire before the switch!) and see what happens. If that doesn't work, splice it to the other lead and see what happens. Or do this in reverse. Short it first using tap-in connectors and if that doesn't work then cut one lead.

You could trace it with a meter instead, but if you don't care about disabling the switch for future use just in case that ISN'T the problem now, it might be easier just to bypass it.

-DanD