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

[Charles Lee]

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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