is it my neutral safety switch? help please

[73schwing]

So I bought a 1973 dodge dart swinger and when I bought it you couldn't and I still can't use the key to start it I have to pop the hood and use a screwdriver to bypass the safety switch also it was a column shift but the people I bought it from put in a b&m ratchet shifter so does anyone know what the problem possibly be? Is so please let me know thank you
-zane

 

[70aarcuda]

for the engine to start from the key...you might want to check the neutral safety switch on the transmission...on the G terminal of the Starter Relay Switch there is a wire that goes to the NSS....see if the plug is on the switch on the trans...

or you can bypass the NSS and just run a ground wire from the G terminal on the starter relay switch ...it will start in any gear with the bypass..

 

[alpha13]

There shouldn't be a neutral safety switch if its a manual transmission. It will have a clutch safety switch mounted on the clutch pedal hangar. If it's auto, make sure the switch itself is the correct one. The pins might not connect when the transmission is in park. I had this problem once. When I got a transmission rebuilt for my 73 dodge. I got a new switch, turns out it wasn't the correct one it wouldn't make contact for some reason. I would trace some wires and get your your multimeter to see if there is power on the g terminal on the starter relay.

 

[67Dart273]

I cannot remember if those have the seat belt interlock? Look in the engine bay, read this:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?p=1969624169

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=292463

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=14304

If you have it, connect the two yellow / yellow tracer wires together.

Your starter relay should have FOUR terminals.

Two of these are "push on" connectors. One should be yellow and is the "start" voltage from the ignition switch. The second one goes down the firewall to the center terminal of the NSS on the transmission. THAT switch should be grounded in park / neutral

Try wiggling the shifter when holding the key to start. Any click or try to crank indicates linkage problems, misadjustment, bad connections at the NSS or a bad NSS

Unhook that wire (transmission) and ground that starter relay terminal. BE CAREFUL the car is in park, and try cranking with the key. If it won't crank, it might be the starter relay bad.

Also might not be getting start voltage from the key, IE bad connection through the bulkhead, or even a bad ignition switch.

What do you have for testing? You should have a FACTORY service manual, a 12V test lamp, a multimeter and some "clip" leads. NO excuses!!!!