for a 72 4 speed. i bought this one on ebay  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Neutral-Safety-Switch-Standard-NS-195-fits-1974-Nissan-260Z-/171762390426?fits=Model%3A240Z&hash=item27fdd6159a:g:qDMAAOSw3ydVsEO-&vxp=mtr that states it is a neutral switch, but standard parts lists it as a back up light switch  http://ecatalog.smpcorp.com/STD/#/vehicles/parts/num/NS-195?type=s

thanks all   sb

Edited October 18, 20168 yr by sweatybetty

Okay, I'll bite. Why are you looking for an automatic transmission part for a manual transmission car?

Look at Post #9.

BE Body Electrical BE-6.pdf

That is not a neutral/ backup switch for an automatic transmission. ATs have a switch mounted on the PRNDL input shaft on the transmission body.

I am not familiar with the 260Z but many modern cars have a neutral switch in series with the starter circuit to prevent starting while the transmission is in gear.

On the 74 260Z, there was a neutral switch at the transmission as part of the seat belt interlock (See page BE-91 of the Body Electrical section.). There wasn't a neutral switch present in a 4 speed from 72 according to the wiring diagram and the TM section of the service manual.

3 hours ago, SteveJ said:

On the 74 260Z, there was a neutral switch at the transmission as part of the seat belt interlock (See page BE-91 of the Body Electrical section.). There wasn't a neutral switch present in a 4 speed from 72 according to the wiring diagram and the TM section of the service manual.

Steve - I have a 4-speed I pulled from a 07/72 parts car, VIN  95652.  It has a switch near the bell housing at the fill plug and another at the tail end above the speedo connection.  I presume the forward switch is for the reversing lights and the rearward one is a neutral interlock.

Jim

Many of the emissions era cars have a top gear switch, for the vacuum advance control solenoid.

More from the 1972 FSM, MT chapter - they only say to disconnect a single wire.  Love a good puzzle.

Edited October 18, 20168 yr by Zed Head

But 73 has two.  Fascinating!

I'm overdoing it but last thing - use carpartsmanual and find the part number.  Looks discontinued but somebody will have it.  Looks like zcardepot has them.

https://zcardepot.com/electrical/switches-and-relays

http://www.carpartsmanual.com/datsun/Z-1969-1978/power-train/transmission-case/4-speed/from-sep-71

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/21-2181

 

the main problem i am having is this

i bought both a neutral and back up light switch. they look a bit different (mainly the connectors), but they both do the same function, which is make contact (close) when the plunger is pushed in.  what i need is a switch that makes contact when the plunger is out (normally closed). when in neutral, the plunger drops into a small detent in the shifting mechanism that allows the solenoid to engage the starter. all of the switches i have found are the opposite. i have several part numbers and called standard brands this morning, but they cant tell me if a certain switch is normal open or normal closed

if someone has a switch that they could test..................

here is a picture of my trans. in the 1st picture you can see the nss to the right of the shifter, and the bu switch just to the right of the fill plug

 

Edited October 18, 20168 yr by sweatybetty

Are you assuming that the neutral switch is normally open?  I've never heard of one.

And, on using the FSM for information - I checked my 76 FSM and it says that I too should have a neutral switch, but I didn't.  And it doesn't indicate the top gear switch even though the Electrical chapter shows it, and I did have one.  So that source is suspect.  Could be that there's no such thing.  Translation error maybe.

I can't find anything that even indicates what a neutral switch circuit would be used for.  No lights or emissions stuff shown.  I've never seen one discussed on anything but an Automatic car.  Good luck.  You could always use a closed switch to actuate a relay if you need a normally open function for something.

 

p.s. went and looked at my old 76 4 speed and there's a boss for the switch but it's not even drilled.