<VV> Neutral Safety switch - Audi (Clutches are for sissies)

[J R Read_HML]

lclc tells me that the guys who learned on junky cars are best at that.  I 
don't think he was thinking Audi at the time of that discussion.  <BIG GRIN> 
But, I also think his early experience was pre neutral switch.

Later, JR


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Charles Lee" <Chaz at ProperProPer.com>
To: "Frank DuVal" <corvairduval at cox.net>; <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Friday, May 14, 2010 1:42 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> Neutral Safety switch - Audi (Clutches are for sissies)


> My Audi 4000 5-speed's clutch cable snapped leaving NC for NY at 4 AM, so,
> to get it back in the driveway, I started it in 1st gear just as a 'one 
> time
> thing'
>
> I found that it started so easily (after jumping the neutral switch), and
> the synchros were so smooth (if shifted at the right point) that I didn't
> cancel my trip.
>
> The 'stump puller' 1st gear was so low that the only problems I had turned
> out to be toll booths (solved with 'keep the change') and of course NYC
> traffic.
>
> I drove it about 10K miles before I finally decided to install a new cable
> ($40, not $125 + $200 labor from Audi) to reward her for doing so well.
>
> Clutches are for sissies (and bad synchros) anyway ?
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Frank DuVal" <corvairduval at cox.net>
> To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
> Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2010 11:04 PM
> Subject: Re: <VV> Neutral Safety switch
>
>
>> Usually I agree with Mark and don't try to engage him in minor annoyance
>> bickering like has been the norm for the past few weeks, but...
>>
>> On what planet has ANY owner's manual recommended NOT  putting the
>> manual transmission in a low gear (typically first or reverse) when
>> parking?
>>
>> Most three on the tree, and some floor four speeds, were made so one HAD
>> to put the transmission in reverse to remove the key. This happened when
>> we went to column mounted ignition switches. Look at any of the big
>> three manufacturers column shift manuals starting in 1968 and you will
>> see this.
>>
>> And don't get this list started on Saabs... At least they put the
>> ignition switch next to the floor shift to remind you it needed to be in
>> reverse to remove the key...
>>
>> Fords required you to go an extra step and depress a button on the
>> column to remove the key.
>>
>> As a shop owner I would never leave a manual transmission car in neutral
>> when I parked it. It probably negates the clause in my garage keepers
>> liability insurance policy of not doing everything in my power to
>> protect my customer's cars. Well, back when I had a shop...
>>
>> Never seen a manual transmission car roll away in gear. Seen enough roll
>> away in neutral.
>>
>> Frank DuVal
>> Barely up to using the left to type.
>>
>> Mark Corbin wrote:
>>
>>>Actually, in a Corvair, the neutral safety switch performs two functions.
>>>First of course, it keeps the starter from being engaged if the car isn't
>>>in neutral. But its second function is to interrupt the juice to the
>>>backup
>>>lights if the car isn't in reverse. Otherwise, the backup lights would be
>>>constantly on. Just jumper it some time if you doubt me.
>>>
>>>As far as putting in the clutch when starting a manual trans Corvair, 
>>>why?
>>>And NO, I don't put in the clutch, because that's a wasted effort. It
>>>always annoyed me when I'd step into my car after my mechanic had parked
>>>it, only to hit the starter and have the car leap forward. Stupid idiot
>>>didn't leave it in neutral and pull the handbrake like he's supposed to.
>>>That's how Corvairs are supposed to be left, in neutral with the 
>>>handbrake
>>>pulled.. So every time after leaving it with him, I have to check to see
>>>if
>>>the car's in neutral, like it's supposed to be. (Note that I live in the
>>>flatlands, Seth.)
>>>
>>>Now if you REALLY want to improve modern cars, have it so that manual
>>>trans
>>>cars can't be started unless the trans is in neutral. LOL
>>>
>>>-Mark
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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