adjusting neutral safety switch

[kassim503]

My NSS seems to be a little out of adjustment, does anybody know how to adjust these?

[asavage]

I don't have my '83 FSM here, but the procedure is on pg AT-9 in the '82 FSM and should be the same. It's a lousy description, even if it does have two "pictures". You have to get under the driver's side of the car to adjust the NSS, and you'll be fighting with the exhaust IIRC.

The NSS is on the side of the trans, straddling the shift shaft (like a Ford, if you're familiar with those).

Shift shifter to N. Remove a screw that's at about 6 o'clock on the NSS. Loosen the other mounting screws. Use a suitable pin or probe to drop through a hole in the NSS (not shown) to something behind it (not shown, but named "rotor"; probably the switch mechansim) while moving the switch body. Tighten screws, etc. If you've ever adjusted an old (I mean old GM NSS on the steering column, it sounds exactly the same, except for being on the trans.

Hope this helps.

[davehoos]

check the adjustment first.as described.unless the valve body has been worked on[filter clean] these dont tend to move.they get burnt contacts in the switch and need a little movement to put in a fresh contact.

if the switch is acting up in park-check the rod adjustment,worn bushes.

if its a now and then thing add a relay at the starter motor.20 yrs of full current load through the switch.not good.

[kassim503]

I know what Al is talking about with the NSS on some GM vehicles, if its just like that i assume this wouldnt be such a hard thing to do. Funny thing is the switch hasnt been acting up for the past few days so mabye its some burnt brushes. Access to the switch may be difficult because i have a 2.5" exhaust pipe rammed up on that side of the transmission tunnel, lucky for me the forcast is sunny skies and temperatures into the 60's for the next few days.

[asavage]

. . . i have a 2.5" exhaust pipe rammed up on that side of the transmission tunnel . . .

Hmmm . . . I wonder what might cause failure of a plastic switch . . . ?:roll:

Dave was referring to worn bushes (bushings in the shifter linkage), not worn brushes, I think.

The classic NSS test: hold key in Start position (won't crank, right?), with other hand sloooowly move shifter from P to R to N. Don't rock the boat -- don't make any sudden moves, nor move the car around, nothing violent. If you can get the starter to operate using this test, it's almost certainly the NSS at fault. If not, could be a failing starter, relay, connector, etc.

[kassim503]

. . . i have a 2.5" exhaust pipe rammed up on that side of the transmission tunnel . . .

Hmmm . . . I wonder what might cause failure of a plastic switch . . . ?:roll:

heat and plastic dosent sound like they match and i also found the problem to occur more often after some high speed highway driving and I never had a problem before the pipe was installed, I think ill just throw a temporary heat sheild in there and see if itll fix the problem

[asavage]

Brain Fart: the shift shaft and NSS are on the passenger side of the AT. I got it wrong. To be fair, the picture on the page I referenced isn't clear -- I think I mentioned that though.

[kassim503]

problem seemed to fix itself, for now. I havnt had a no start condition in something like a week now! I think I may save this project for a warmer day, it is under the car and im not very interested in going out there in 30 degree weather to work on it. Ill just keep a quarter handy to jump the starter if it fails completley

[asavage]

It's a Federal Offense to deface US currency

30°F? It got up to almost 55° here today -- I washed the van (once a year, whether it needs it or not).

[glenlloyd]

It's a Federal Offense to deface US currency

uh oh...i found a quarter with a hole drilled in it and use it in the basement as a pull cord for a ceiling light....I'm in possession of defaced currency! I'd better get rid of that fast!

sa

[kassim503]

lucky you- it snowed a little over here

I have a penny pull string light in my shed, id better move to mexico before the feds find out

[asavage]

Blame it on the devil-mice