Clutch Start Switch

Author Topic: Clutch Start Switch  (Read 7569 times)

Offline troutstreamnm

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1190
Clutch Start Switch
« on: June 03, 2008 - 10:49:04 PM »
In my ever slow progress to rewire my entire car, I have a couple more questions.  Since I'm doing an auto-to-4-spd conversion I noticed on the wiring diagram a connection to the starter relay of a dark green wire that goes to a transmission clutch start switch (see pics).  I don't have a dark green wire on the new engine side harness in this area and I know I don't have the clutch start switch.  Is it possible to bypass this switch?  I know on the 727's that you have to have the neutral safety switch hooked up for the car to start, so I'm concerned that I need a clutch start switch.  What are my options?

Question #2: On the alternator, does it matter what field posts the green and blue wires hook up to?  You can't tell from the wiring diagram.  Thanks.
08 SRT-8 Challenger
71 GA4 Challenger
70 FK5 Charger 500




Offline 72hemi

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4812
  • MEMBER SINCE JANUARY 2006
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2008 - 10:51:54 PM »
I had the same problem on my car. I will have to check but I believe I just ran a wire to ground on the body and it worked just fine.
1972 Dodge Challenger 340 6 Pack 4-speed
1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe

Offline Moparal

  • Permanent Resident
  • *******
  • Posts: 13085
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2008 - 11:29:01 PM »
The clutch starter switch is all by itself. It is just a ground. Goes from the clutch pedal. through the firewall by itself, and hooks to a post on the starter relay. So when you push in the clutch pedal, it puts a ground to the relay. I dont think the blue/green alt wire hook up matters on the alt field. Many have asked the same question in different post.

Offline troutstreamnm

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1190
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2008 - 11:37:34 PM »
O.K. thanks for the information.  I have a lite green wire with a male end on the left side of the under-dash wiring harness that I have not identified yet.  Could this be the "instrument panel" end of the wiring that should be connected to the relay?  Or could I just ground that post on the relay to the body as 72 HEMI indicated? Appreciate the input.
08 SRT-8 Challenger
71 GA4 Challenger
70 FK5 Charger 500

Offline Moparal

  • Permanent Resident
  • *******
  • Posts: 13085
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2008 - 11:56:50 PM »
You can ground the post. it will start in any gear or neutral that way tho

Offline 72hemi

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4812
  • MEMBER SINCE JANUARY 2006
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2008 - 12:02:03 AM »
I will see if I can get a picture of how I did it, but the car is 4 hours from me, so I will have my brother take the picture for me.
1972 Dodge Challenger 340 6 Pack 4-speed
1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe

Offline troutstreamnm

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1190
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #6 on: June 04, 2008 - 12:05:49 AM »
Alright guys, excellent.  Thanks again for the help  :2thumbs:
08 SRT-8 Challenger
71 GA4 Challenger
70 FK5 Charger 500

Offline 72hemi

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4812
  • MEMBER SINCE JANUARY 2006
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #7 on: June 04, 2008 - 03:45:18 PM »
Here is a picture of how I have my starter relay wired in my cuda. See the one wire that is run directly to the body. That is how I solved the clutch switch issue.
1972 Dodge Challenger 340 6 Pack 4-speed
1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe

Offline vinb

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 2163
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #8 on: June 04, 2008 - 07:36:16 PM »
troutstreamnm,

Before I found a original used clutch switch I went to my local auto store and got a nice push button switch and mounted it under the dash above your clutch leg. It's a safety thing and it a good idea to put one in to play it safe until you find one.

Just run a wire from the starter relay post thru the firewall where the orig. wire goes and them to the aftermarket switch , then ground the other side of the switch to the dash panel.

So you push the button and turn the key..

Think Safety first, and its a good security switch at the same time...

Offline Aussie Challenger

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 3407
  • In Kansas loaded for Drive to West Coast.
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2008 - 07:28:56 AM »
Here is a picture of how I have my starter relay wired in my cuda. See the one wire that is run directly to the body. That is how I solved the clutch switch issue.
  I am from the old school, I don't like having to press the clutch down to start the vehicle, make sure it is in neutral and crank, puts less stress on the starter and no thrust loading on the crank when there is little or no oil on the thrust washers.
  Had a customers motor once that had 3/16" crank end float because the owner started in gear so had to have his foot on the clutch. Any mechanic can picture what damage was done to the crank.  Expensive...   :money:   it was only a fraud though so who cares really.   :roflsmiley:
Dave

Offline troutstreamnm

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1190
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #10 on: June 05, 2008 - 08:38:56 AM »
I'll go ahead and ground the relay for now to keep things moving forward and keep my eyes open for a safety switch in the in the future.  Are originals safety switches hard to come by? 
08 SRT-8 Challenger
71 GA4 Challenger
70 FK5 Charger 500

Offline Moparal

  • Permanent Resident
  • *******
  • Posts: 13085
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2008 - 06:53:44 PM »
(Are originals safety switches hard to come by? )

Oh yes. And your post made me decide to put mine on before I sold it.  Expensive for such a small item. 

Here's some numbers that are on mine

3488177
36033-L
2772

I think you can get this off of other body types, but the date codes would be different and maybe the arm length.   

Offline mopardave

  • Sponsor
  • Resident
  • ***
  • Posts: 3294
  • 1973 Challenger F8 in and out, 68 383,727 3.23 pos
    • rosevillemoparts
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #12 on: June 05, 2008 - 07:58:10 PM »
the only one that I know that has correct switches is Brewers. they are about 400.00
Mopar Dave
Rosevillemoparts.com

if I haven't replied to your post or PM email me direct    dradcliffe@mikeriehls.com




70 FK5 Challenger RT/SE
70 FC7 70 Road Runner - Sold
71 FM3 Challenger RT
71 Cuda (in process for restoration)
73 F8 Challenger
1990 XJ - sold
2000 Dakota Quad Cab
2010 Ram Crew Cab 2500 4wd - sold
2015 Ram Crew Cab 2500 4wd Black Out

Offline thedodgeboys

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 3633
  • ''Normal’s Overrated''
    • THE DODGE BOYS
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #13 on: June 05, 2008 - 08:03:19 PM »
the only one that I know that has correct switches is Brewers. they are about 400.00


 :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint: $400.00  :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint:

I may have to ebay my switch thats a lotta coin.

Are they e and b body only? or just e body?
Go Fast & Have Fun...
70 6.1 HEMI 6-speed Drop Top...

Offline 72hemi

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4812
  • MEMBER SINCE JANUARY 2006
Re: Clutch Start Switch
« Reply #14 on: June 05, 2008 - 08:04:53 PM »
I think my piece of wire and the two solderless terminals couldn't have cost more than a few cents  :roflsmiley:
1972 Dodge Challenger 340 6 Pack 4-speed
1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe