Welcome to our discussion Dick! 1958 T&C Wagon is a georgeous car.
Dave's '58 Imperial has a random "no start" problem. It seems to have a mind of
its own. A faulty neutral safety switch has been offered as a possible cause
for this. This often is the cause of this symptom in cars with automatic
transmissions.
When this switch fails in some cars, it may be by passed to test. Often it is
left that way, causing a potentially dangerous situation.
I think the only way to cause an accident with this would be for an individual
to circumvent the system as above in order to test the switch or make the car
run. Unaltered, a failure in the system would keep the car from starting at all.
I am curious, are '57 Imperials the same as '58s? Several years ago I bought a
'57 Torqueflite and it did have the switch mounted on the tranmission case.
Paul
In a message dated 3/2/2004 9:33:14 PM Eastern Standard Time,
rwoodside@xxxxxxxxxx writes:
>
> Chris Middlebrook wrote that the automotive manufacturers and suppliers are
>proposing a new 52 volt standard for all new vehicles, for the reasons
>outlined by Chris.
>
> My only question is: when did they change this to 52 volts, from the 42 volt
>standard that was proposed about two years ago? In other words, how long have
>been asleep at the wheel, officer?
>
> The recent discussion about the 1958 neutral start button in the gear
>selector, and the neutral safety switch on the transmission has got me
>interested to go and check my '58 NY Town & Country wagon. But, (he says,
>adding fuel to the fire, perhaps) in order to cause an accident, wouldn't the
>combination have to be BOTH a failed neutral safety switch on the transmission
>AND the transmission being "screwed up" by allowing it to be in gear even
>though the only gear selector button being pushed in by the driver is the
>neutral button?
>
> Dick Woodside
> 1968 Crown Convertible, still at the paint shop having the
> shipping damage repaired
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