Neutral Safety Switch

Hello all.

Sorry I've not been active for a while, I was on the road. I just finished up my year long trek through Africa, and now have the daunting task of trying to import the car into Canada.

I got my landy through customs OK (after $3000 for 'decontamination' on a clean car, letters are going to be written) but I have a weird issue coming from the technical safety inspection needed before I can plate it here. The inspector said I needed a "neutral safety switch" installed, so that the starter motor won't turn over the engine unless the clutch is depressed. I can add such a beast, but I can't seem to see any existing sensor to control the relay. Does anybody know of a line that would do that, or another simple way to accomplish the same thing?

Car: 1997 Defender110 CSW 300tdi

I might try to fight it, as the only regulation I could find seemed to say "if the car was fitted with one it must still be present and working", and of course my car wasn't fitted with one... but fighting the Quebec bureaucracy is a recipe for disaster so it might be simpler to just fit a sensor and be done with it. I figured maybe just a switch under the clutch peddle or something. Suggestions would be appreciated.

- Andrew

It has to met North America spec's , Check and see if that was a requirement

Off the top of my head you may be able to get a 'T' piece made that will allow you to break into the clutch hydraulic pipe, you could then install a pressure switch (operated by the clutch hydraulic pressure) and connect it in series with the starter solenoid wiring. Press the clutch, switch closes and then lets the starter operate. Like I say only a guess and you would need to research correct switch etc. Probably not the best option as it introduces something extra that could go wrong but food for thought.

Td5 clutch switch could be retrofitted I would guess ?

Just use something like an old ford brake light switch or any other momentary switch that the back of the clutch pedal will push against when fully depressed thus making a circuit which in turn operates a relay cut into the starter circuit THE LOW AMP ONE

Jam1 said:

Just use something like an old ford brake light switch or any other momentary switch that the back of the clutch pedal will push against when fully depressed thus making a circuit which in turn operates a relay cut into the starter circuit THE LOW AMP ONE

Click to expand...

that is what he wants

Great suggestions, thanks a lot everybody! I'm sure one of these is what I'll go with.

I'll follow up when I've got it done and let you know how it worked.

- Andrew

My TD5 has a clutch switch fitted to the master cylinder to disengage cruise control if clutch dipped. I dont have cruise but the switch is still there. Maybe you could fit a TD5 clutch master and you're good to go?