1960 Neutral Safety Switch (NSS)

[Joe Maulsby]

How can I determine whether I need to replace the NSS relay? How does the relay work in conjunction with the NSS. I don't want to purchase a new NSS if the relay is the only thing that is bad.

[John M.]

Re: 1960 Neutral Safety Switch (NSS)

Joe,
See my post below, but in a nutshell here is the operation. The NSS serves pilot duty only for the neutral safety relay. That is to say that when the switch is made in the N or P position the Relay will pull in and allow the starter solenoid to be energized throught the contacts in the Relay. The contacts in the relay are intended to carry the high current necessary to operate the solenoid, while the contacts at the NSS are only sized to carry the current of the relay coil.

All components in the circut are intended to be Fail-Safe and go to the open position in case the shifter is in any position other than P or N. Generally speaking, if the car will start in any position then the switch and the relay are probably good, and the switch just needs adjustment.
If the car starts in any position then the relay contacts are welded or the relay has been bypassed.

The coil and the contacts share a common terminal on the relay and that is why there are only 3 terminals. You can energize the relay with 12v and check the resistance of the contacts to verify the operation of the relay and you can check the resistance of the switch to verify that it is opening and closing the contacts at the proper location on the shift pattern.

Regards, John Mcgraw

[John M.]

PS

Joe,
Obviously, I meant that if the car will start in ALL positions then the contacts are welded or the relay is bypassed! We sure need an edit function for posts.

Regards, John McGraw

[Joe Maulsby]

Re: NSS Problem

Thanks John, I read your ealier post and it makes sense. Sounds like I probably have an adjustment problem, not a relay or NSS problem.