Wiring a clutch safety switch - thoughts?

[or7]

I'm working through my punch list for inspection on a 2014 360. One of the items I need to add is a clutch safety switch. I have the switch location figured out, but I still need to wire it up. Any thoughts on a clean way to wire it? Doing some research, it seems like the Black/Red wire on terminal “50” on the back of the ignition switch should be the connection to the starter relay. I'm not an electrical wiz, so thought I'd check before I go cutting wires ...

[Driven]

Use the clutch switch to ground the starter relay? Sounds like the easiest way.

[TurboWood]

I've never been a fan of clutch safety switches. I realize it may be emotionally driven, but the idea of putting axial thrust on the crank before there is oil to the thrust bearing doesn't sit well with me. I've disabled it on multiple cars for that reason. It also makes remote start easier if desired.

 

Daniel

[Joe Petty]

You may want to check if the transmission is setup for a "neutral detection" switch.

I have an old Ford Cortina gearbox and it has detection switches for reverse and neutral.

The neutral switch is midway on the "singlerail" shift rod housing.

 

Joe

[or7]

thanks for the suggestions.

 

Driven - how would you go about grounding the starter relay itself?

 

Daniel - yeah, I'm not a fan either, the state is requiring I have one to pass inspection

 

Joe - that's a real interesting possibility, but I already have a switch in place, so now it's just the wiring and I think the gearbox switch will have me going through the same wiring exercise

 

I'll try the wire that should go to the starter solenoid from the ignition, it should only be "hot" when trying to start it. It's tough to see, let alone get to it. It looks like there are two white light gauge wires joining together attaching to the solenoid. I'll spend some time with a test light this weekend.

[Driven]

Well, with the way I was thinking, you take the ground wire from the starter relay, run it to one side of the clutch switch. The other side of the clutch switch, ground it.

Then, when the clutch is depressed, the starter relay is grounded and allowing the relay to function when you start the car. I can't guarantee 100% that it'll work (I'm not an electrical engineer), but I can't see why it wouldn't.

 

http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=12348&stc=1

[coffee break]

When I read the grounding the starter, I'm thinking that's a bunch of current to put thru a switch. Ground interrupt on the relay, yeah that the trick! :cheers:

[or7]

Ok, got it all sorted. I dropped the ignition and pulled off the black back cover and pulled the Black/Red wire off #50 on the back of the terminal. I connected this wire through a micro-switch and back to the #50 spot on the ignition switch (blue wire in the photo). This Black/Red wire is only "hot" in the temporary start position. The micro-switch is from a NOS nitrous set up that came with a bracket. When the clutch is depressed, it triggers the switch and completes the circuit.

Edited April 3, 2017 by or7