I am still trying to get the 69 bird running under its own power. I am very close and found two new problems today. First being I had no power to the starter "s" terminal and found the issue at the safety neutral switch. I ran a jumper across the switch and now it will start and run. Question is how does this function when it's a floor shift car and its yet its mounted on the column? Could I just bypass this or should I order a new one and from where?
Second question is the shifter cable is not allowing me to shift gears. I know this cause I unhooked the cable and the shifter moves freely. Can this cable simple removed and lubed or should I replace? Where to buy?
Please remember that I am going bare bones as possible cause the car will probably just go to storage until I can find time for it after my nova or it may be sold???????
Need more info! I am assuming this is an auto tranny? If so you have a rod that is connected to the bracket on the tranny that moves the arm on the tranny for gear selection which your shifter cable connects too also. The rod moves(or turns) the column sleeve when you move you shifter from park to reverse and down the line. When you shift to reverse (watch your column sleeve) you will see it moves, this neutral safty switch will also turn your reverse lights on when you shift into reverse and also keep you from starting the vehicle if it is in a drive gear and as you found out not allow you to start the vehicle unless you are in neutral or park. You can bypass this, but you will have to get a kit and install it on the shifter housing itself and reroute your wiring to there, see this Shiftworks . There is no reason for you to do this unless you are doing a tranny conversion, just replace the switch. Before you do this, check and make sure that your linkage running from the tranny to the steering column (in front of the firewall) is actually adjusted properly and not the cause for the switch not working. If you disconnect the rod, connected to the bracket at the tranny selector arm (side of transmission) and then go and twist the column (it will move both ways) in front of the dash to the extreme left (I think its left) that should be the position that is telling the safety switch that you are in park. Remove your jumpers you put on the safety switch and try and see if it will crank over. If it does crank over, your switch is good, then hook that rod back up to the tranny bracket and make adjustments to the rod above that one, that comes down from the steering column in front of the firewall. There is a nut on the bottom of that rod that holds the rod in a retainer. Loosen that nut and it will allow you to push the rod up or move it down. Push it upwards until it stops and tighten the nut back down (make sure your tranny is in park while doing all this). Now recheck to see if you can still crank it over while in park and also check to see if your reverse lights come on when you put it into reverse. If none of this works, then I would say it is your switch and I would just replace it. You can do a google search for 1969 Firebird neutral safety switch and find a lot of listings to buy one. On your second question, I am not sure what you are referring to because you say shifter cable not allowing you to shift gears. When you unhook the cable (unhook it from where? down at the tranny or up and the gear shifter?) Am assuming you unhooked it from the gear shifter at the console. If thats the case get under the car and see if the tranny shifts at the shifter arm that the cable is connected too at the tranny (same place that rod talked about above connects to. If it does move through the gears then you can get another cable at the link I posted in this post. If the shifter arm at the tranny doesnt move, then you either have some binding with the neutral safety rods from the column or the tranny might be siezed...hopefully it isnt the tranny.
Here are some pic's of the break down of parts for the shifter and the neutral safety rods/column lock rods from the tranny to the steering column. See the 1st and 4th sheet for the 69 breakdowns. I forgot to mention on my last post, that the rods that run from the tranny to the steering column are also used to lock out your steering when the key is pulled out in park. http://thefirstgensite.com/library/partscounter/illustrated/auto/autoshift1.html
Thanks for the help. I will dig into this more in the next few days I hope. Yes the car is a auto trans and the cable was unhooked at the shifter. The shift then moved freely so I guess I need to get under the car and check things out.
Well took the cable loose at bothe the trans and the shifter assembly and the trans still would not shift. Once I remove the rod connecting the trans linkage to the next joint the trans was finally able to shift. So I guess my first issue is finding where it's binding is occurring in the mechanical rods to the column.
Sry, but I forgot to tell you... if the vehicle is in park, and the rod is hooked up to the tranny, it wont move unless you turn the key to the first detent. It's the safety lock for the steering. So you might not have a problem with the rod, but you need to hook the rod back up and put the key into the ignition and turn it to the first stop (dont start the car..lol) and then try shifting the tranny from the tranny again. Also since you have the shift cable off see if it slides in and out freely, if not, then that is probably your problem.
USMC Thanks for the link to Shift Works. I have been trying to figure out a way to do my NSS for some time now. With headers I cant use the rods to move the column for it to work. I just ordered their conversion kit.
Ordered the shiftworks conversion today. Need to now get a cable and switch. A bit confused on the switch as all the ones I look up online for the 69 don't look like mine. Mine only has 4 prongs and all the 69 I see have 7 prongs. Anyone know the history behind this ?
Ordered the shiftworks conversion today. Need to now get a cable and switch. A bit confused on the switch as all the ones I look up online for the 69 don't look like mine. Mine only has 4 prongs and all the 69 I see have 7 prongs. Anyone know the history behind this ?
Hey greasemonkey, that switch should only have 4 prongs. I think what your seeing is a switch that places are selling that are compatiable with a big list of compatable cars. Also, if you ordered the shiftworks conversion kit, why would you have to get a switch? That comes with the converstion kit. I take it that you found your shift cable to be frozen?
Ok, maybe I misspoke about the switch. Did you get the the Neutral safety/backup light switch re-location to shifter conversion (TH NSS Conversion) that just comes with the mounting hardware? If so, then I understand why you need the switch still. They do list three links to where you can buy the switch at. If you have any questions at all about those switches or kits, please call them. I have talked with them many times and they are super helpful. They go out of there way to make sure their customers are happy, and have gone as far as sending me another piece (bracket) from a different kit since the one I ordered didnt fit mine correctly, for free.
Cable moves ok but is soaked with trans oil and looks pretty bad so figured I would just replace it. I was just looking for a switch local to save some green. Locally you can get a switch for $14 vs $27-$30 plus shipping. Plus now I found my water pump leaking. Need to get the money pit out of my garage and in storage before I spend anymore of my nova money on it . Have even though about selling the bird but not sure it would bring much money.
Greasemonkeychef I just got my switch from Car Quest Auto Parts. Part # ECC 53-31961. The switch is for a 68 not 69. The mounting holes are different.
You have a Nova? Are you on Steves Nova Site? I think I have seen you on there. If so PM a guy called "chevyguyal" He manages a Car Quest out here and said he set up account so we can buy parts at a discount. Tell him Wade told you to get a hold of him
Yeah I am on Steve's. I will look for him. Just so I am clear I should get the 68 switch correct?
Yes, it says that on the web site for the SW652 "Includes mounting hardware. Switch is NOT included. Purchase and Install 1968 Firebird Column Switch."
The Standard number is NS-7. In case you don't want to go to Car Quest. Any of the parts places should be able to cross that number over to the brand they sell.
. Have even though about selling the bird but not sure it would bring much money. 
