AARRrGGHHH

[Nicklz]

I go to pull out of my bank today, and the car wouldn't start.

Everything electric works, it doesn't crank, you don't hear the clicking for the starter or nothing.

But you can start the car by turning the ignition key and holding, then releasing the clutch slowly until you hit the friction point and hold the clutch there and car starts.

So what is going on?

[silvachris1]

Hey man, I dunno what the deal is with the car. Somebody on here prolly knows but if not, the Chevy dealer in Hunting seems to know what they're doing. It's good to finally see another WV member here. Good luck man.

[Razzer]

Maybe the clutch engagement switch that makes sure the clutch is depressed before you can start your car is going bad. Does the car very easily when you do this? Or does it kinda lag like its a low battery, or a slow start, What was your battery voltage?

[firebird4u99]

Yeah it sounds like your switch has gone bad on your clutch. Either that or low voltage like the others suggested.

[96camarors2005]

Is that causing the drop in rpms

[98Camaro3.8]

Originally posted by 96camarors2005:
Is that causing the drop in rpms

Wrong thread. ;)

[Nicklz]

Voltage is fine. And yeah as long as the clutch is right at the friction poin the car starts fine. If it's a millimeter off the friction point either direction it won't start (won't do anything).

So if it's this switch where is it??

[Nicklz]

/
/
So where is this switch?

[viper98885]

The switch he is referring to is the neutral safety switch and is on the back of the clutch pedal...towards the top where the pedal arm pivots.

[shenanigans]

Before you spend some money on a new one, you can unhook the connector and and "jump" the connector with a wire. I used a paperclip once when mine crapped out after work once. If that works then the switch is bad.

I think it was like $15, and I had to go to 3 stores to find it. But that was years ago [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Nicklz]

Thats probably what I'll do, does anyone know how much it cost to replace the switch itself? or a part number?

[Nicklz]

Ok I looked this evening and didn't see anything, I even felt under there and didn't feel anything either. Given it's not the easiest place to get to.
I have a 96 bird, did this switch come on a 96??

[38fury]

it came on all manual cars (V8 or not) your '96 isn't exempt from a much needed safety feature.

[Nicklz]

Well I looked and I can't find it. Do you have to take the lower dash area down there apart to get to it???

[Nicklz]

Ok I found the thing, I messed around with it, tried unplugging it and the car still didn't start. I was going to take the dash apart, but didn't really want to, so I just kept trying to start it, finally out of frustration I kicked the top area of the cluth pedals arm, then tried again to start it. And it started.

Drove got the part at pontiac $9, then asked how much for them to put it in, since I'm lazy. $137 with the part. [img]graemlins/omg.gif[/img]

So I drove down the street to another small garage, $30 to install.

So I was out like $40, oh well.

But it works fine now thats what was wrong.

thanks everyone