58 Random Starting/Neutral Safety

[RandalPark@xxxxxxx]

Thank you Elijah. You have also explained what keeps the '58 Imperial from 
staring in gear, and as both "you" and "Hugh"  have pointed out, it would seem 
to be the neutral button. In Hugh's post we also learn that it apparently 
involves a switch that can fail. 

I think that the original person who asked the question, his name was Dave, 
will find all of this very interesting. There must be some electrcal switch 
built into the "N" button to start the car. Is it similar to the set up used in 
the "R" button to activate the back up lights? Most of us are very much aware 
that the back up light switch is prone to fail.

I don't think that this changes anything that has been suggested to Dave about 
finding the trouble in his car. In fact, it adds information for him to use to 
help locate the trouble.

By the way, does anyone know for sure that there is no neutral safety switch 
mounted on the transmission? It is possible that there is a switch within the 
"N" button and also one on the automatic. Also, since all of these automatics 
from late '56 through '61 are basically interchangable (aren't they?) there 
would have to be some plug where the switch goes for cars that don't use one.

Paul

In an email dated Tue, 2 Mar 2004 4:09:52 pm GMT, Elijah Scott 
<imperial1971@xxxxxxxxx> writes:

>--- RandalPark@xxxxxxx wrote:
>> Well, I don't have a '58 Imperial so I can't say for
>> sure, but it would seem to me that whether you turn
>> the key to start the car or push a button, there
>> would have to be something to keep it from starting
>> in gear. 
>
>There is something to keep it from starting in gear --
>the NEUTRAL button for the transmission selector is
>also the starter "button." �:o) �In other words, in
>order to engage the starter, you have to push the
>neutral button . . . so the starter simply can't
>engage unless the car is in neutral. �Pretty clever,
>eh?
>
>As for the original question (and at this point, I've
>forgotten who asked) -- have you tried wiggling the
>key? �Perhaps the ignition switch is getting a little
>cranky, and the key needs to be in just the right spot
>to make contact.
>
>Elijah
>
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