1981 Silverado Neutral Safety Switch Failure: Diagnosis And Replacement

Recently, while performing my weekly checks before the weekend cruise, there was a major problem discovered, but turned out to be a simple repair. It was time to start the engine, but turning the key did nothing. I observed the interior lights, as I attempted to crank, they didn't dim, the voltage gauge didn't dip down, and no solenoid click. That told me no power was getting through to the starter. Of course, once I grabbed the camera, it cranked, but it was short lived. My next step was to start testing components to see where current got interrupted. I first suspected the neutral safety switch, as I haven't replaced it in all the years I've owned the truck, and the easiest point to test. I removed the connector with the yellow, and purple wire, made a jumper, and inserted into the connector, so the purple, and yellow wires were jumpered. Fortunately, that completed the circuit, and as a result, the truck cranked normally. Not liking to leave things half way done, I decided to go ahead, and replace the neutral safety switch. Now it is starting up just fine, once again. There is another ongoing issue, it will not start in neutral, the key won't fully turn to start, so likely an adjustment needs to be made. Still researching that. With the battery disconnected, I can fully turn the key into the start position in the drive position. Any advice on what to adjust is appreciated!
Later on, I decided to disassemble the old neutral safety switch. Initially, I didn't notice anything suspect, however, as I was cleaning up the work area, I found a random loose piece of metal. Highly likely, this was the failure point.
Thanks for stopping by to watch, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell!
#c10 #squarebody #chevrolet #repair #fix #diy #neutralsafetyswitch #gm #delco

[@jaykay18]

This is the kind of thing that frustrates me to no end with GM. Stuff that just simply shouldn't break, breaks. I never had the neutral safety go out on my old Chevy, but I did have one that was again, something that should never break. On that car, they used a plastic "film" that kind of looked like movie film, except much thicker, to make the windows go up and down. Manual windows so the crank had a sprocket and would slide this film back and forth in a metal track to keep it rigid, and that would raise and lower the window. Yes, the sprocket holes stripped out. Why should that ever break? Just like your neutral safety switch, there's really no reason it should ever break. I wish I had something to say about not being able to turn the key to the start position in neutral, there is some sort of adjustment that needs to be made. I'd start by setting the parking brake and chocking the wheels, then moving the selector just out of neutral towards reverse and also the other way down to drive. Don't get it into gear, but some very fine movements should allow you to turn the key, then you'll know which way to adjust it. I'd imagine there's some sort of "block" there that prevents the ignition from turning in positions other than Park or Neutral. Oh yeah, you had another "that should never break" happen with the headlight dimmer switch. Just remembered that. Not exactly certain, but perhaps another clue that the part you put in is NOS is that it still says Delco Remy? I believe they dropped the Remy part around 1994 according to some quick research. There used to be all sorts of Delco branded divisions, like the Bluick brake master cylinder could have been a Bendix or Delco Moraine.

[@dynatrak]

Yeah, it's common on GM for silly things to break like this. Fortunately, I plan ahead, and have a hoard of spare parts! Yes, this is ridiculous about the manual window in your 81 Chevy. No way that should break! My guess is this part is from the 1970's by the packaging. I got my spare switch to go back in the hoard, and it's from the same era. I'm thinking the dimmer switch, and neutral safety switch may have been original to the truck, as they both had 5291 stamped on them. What are the chances that they would both have failed at the same time, in the early 90's!? Come to think of it, might not be too far-fetched, because, GM. Next on the list, I need to replace the belt on my cassette player.

[@jaykay18]

@@dynatrak I think the cassette player belt is fair game after this many years!

[@dynatrak]

@@jaykay18 Absolutely! Now to see what condition the idler tire is in.

[@papergatorzfedducca7998]

I need help wiring my ignition wire from the fuse box. I bought a 81 GMC CABALLERO 3.8 V6 and the wire from the ignition fuse wasn’t hooked up to anything!! Please help!!

[@credalemcalister8222]

Those last two tabs are for the neutral switch

[@dynatrak]

Not sure what you mean by "tabs." Are you talking about the electrical terminals the harness connects to? Timestamp.

[@gabrielvenegas2]

Hello can i please get your help can you do a video of where the AC/Heater fuse is and what it looks like along with the fuse for electric windows and what that fuse looks like PLEASE!! My fuse box says nothing on it and im trying to buy every correct fuse and put them back where they go.

[@dynatrak]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXbRap-klsuMr6s

[@lilerat]

Can I ask how did you jump yellow and purple wires to get vehicle to turn on? I’m stuck without a new neutral safety switch right now and I need to get home. Thanks

[@dynatrak]

That’s shown at around 1:38. Simply took a piece of wire I had handy, then plugged the wire into each terminal of the connector, and that jumps the yellow, and purple together.

[@lilerat]

Okay perfect! Thanks I am in a big dilemma I believe installed switch improperly, the ENGINE STARTS now but now stuck on reverse.

[@dynatrak]

@@lilerat Not sure what would cause that. My replacement switch had directions included for the installation procedure. If I recall, I had to shift to the neutral position to install the switch, and then place back in park to break the little shear pin. I followed those exactly, and had no issues. Works as it did before the switch went bad.

[@402_Impala]

I thought I saw something about those switches needed to be adjusted after installed so when in reverse it turns the reverse lights on and so maybe that will align everything else

[@dynatrak]

That's not the case on my truck. It's adjusted properly.

[@402_Impala]

@@dynatrak got ya! Thanks for the video I just jumped my neutral saftey switch to verify it was bad and it worked! It took a while to find the right video so I appreciate the help!

[@dynatrak]

@@402_Impala Awesome! I'm glad the jumper worked out for you to figure out the problem.