1970 Skylark only starts in drive...help

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by TwinKiller79, Apr 6, 2021.

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  1. TwinKiller79

    TwinKiller79 1970 Skylark Custom

    My car started acting up....

    first it wouldn’t start in park

    then it would only start in neutral

    now it only starts in drive

    I replaced the neutral safety switch and the ignition switch

    what else could cause this
     
    TwinKiller79, Apr 6, 2021
    #1
  2. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron Platinum Level Contributor

    You may have bought bad switches.
     
    Stage 2 iron, Apr 6, 2021
    #2
  3. custom

    custom Well-Known Member

    Is the car really in the gear the selector says it is in?
     
    custom, Apr 6, 2021
    #3
  4. TwinKiller79

    TwinKiller79 1970 Skylark Custom

    yes it’s in gear
     
    TwinKiller79, Apr 6, 2021
    #4
  5. hwprouty

    hwprouty Platinum Level Contributor

    Adjustment of your new neutral safety switch?
     
    hwprouty, Apr 6, 2021
    #5
    Max Damage likes this.
  6. TwinKiller79

    TwinKiller79 1970 Skylark Custom

    I don’t think so, once it starts all the gears are correct

    it goes into PRND as it should and drives normal
     
    TwinKiller79, Apr 6, 2021
    #6
  7. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    The neutral safety switch mounting holes are slotted for adjustment. Adjusting the mounting may solve your problem. The gear indicator at the bottom of the speedometer means nothing. It has a separate adjustable link that can EASILY be damaged if you drop the steering column without disconnecting it first. You may not be in the gear you think you are in if you are relying on the indicator.
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2021
    LARRY70GS, Apr 7, 2021
    #7
  8. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Does it immediately move forward when it starts?
     
    12lives, Apr 7, 2021
    #8
  9. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Or the linkage going to the column needs to be adjusted
     
    CJay, Apr 7, 2021
    #9
  10. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    I'm curious also?
    Like Larry mentioned I replaced the ignition switch on my 82 Regal and there was a string that actually moved the needle on the speedo markings.
    Wondering if its the same setup on the 70 Skylark?
     
    PGSS, Apr 7, 2021
    #10
  11. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    Do the back rod adjustment underneath first and ignore the dash indicator. Then adjust the neutral safety switch so car will start in both neutral and park, again ignoring the dash indicator. Lastly, adjust the dash indicator for what you know to be neutral.
     
    rkammer, Apr 7, 2021
    #11
    hwprouty likes this.
  12. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    It isn't. The gear indicator at the bottom of the speedometer is connected to the bowl of the steering column that rotates when you move the shift lever. It is linked to the bowl with a thin wire and clamp secured with a single set screw. The clamp and set screw move in a slot so that it is adjustable. To see it requires removing the small cover secured to the lower instrument panel. If you lower the column by removing the two large nuts without first disconnecting the indicator link, it will bend the wire and possibly break it. Bottom line is the indicator will no longer be accurate. Here is a picture of the wire link and clamp from the back of the speedometer.
    GearIndicatorAdj.JPG
     
    LARRY70GS, Apr 7, 2021
    #12
    PGSS likes this.
  13. TwinKiller79

    TwinKiller79 1970 Skylark Custom

     
    TwinKiller79, Apr 7, 2021
    #13
  14. TwinKiller79

    TwinKiller79 1970 Skylark Custom

    that is not the problem I stated it goes into every as it should I’m not worried about what the gear selector say although it’s been right for the 20 years I’ve owned the car
     
    TwinKiller79, Apr 7, 2021
    #14
  15. TwinKiller79

    TwinKiller79 1970 Skylark Custom

    Y
    yes because it will only start in drive
     
    TwinKiller79, Apr 7, 2021
    #15
  16. TwinKiller79

    TwinKiller79 1970 Skylark Custom

    The linkage rod seems fine as well
     
    TwinKiller79, Apr 7, 2021
    #16
  17. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    There isn't any other thing that effects in what gear the starter engages in. The neutral safety switch is the problem then. It is either defective/wrong out of the box, or it needs to be adjusted.
     
    LARRY70GS, Apr 7, 2021
    #17
    john.schaefer77, GSX 554 and rkammer like this.
  18. TwinKiller79

    TwinKiller79 1970 Skylark Custom

     
    TwinKiller79, Apr 7, 2021
    #18
  19. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    I did it over 20 years ago and just remembered it was on my 84 Bonneville "The downsized one that was on the G body" not to confuse:)
    It had the rod that was maby 1/8 inch wide that ran down the column that went into the mounted ignition switch box type thing.
    I was so frustrated to what it took to change that switch, I almost had to take the front seat out or the steering wheel because it hit the seat. So I never went back to adjust the string and went by feel putting it in gear after that.
    Am I right that it was basicly a string Larry?
     
    PGSS, Apr 7, 2021
    #19
  20. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Yikes..
     
    PGSS, Apr 7, 2021
    #20
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