The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Park Safety Switch

On my 61 GMC with a Hydromatic (4spd auto) is there a nutral safety switch to make sure you can't start in gear? I don't have a schematic yet but I thought there might be one. The the truck has been sitting for at least 15 years and now that I,m ready to get it running it won't turn over. There dosen't seem to be a load on the electrical system, like the starter is under load. But before I start meassuring voltages and see whats going on I thought I would ask.

if it's automatic doesn't it have to be in park or neutral? can you just jump 12volts to starter stud to see if it will turn over?

I have the sames trans and NO there is NO SAFETY Switch, YOu can start it in any of the gears including reverse, WHen in doubt, jack up the rear axle to clear the ground and try it.

I got the gas out and hooked up a gas can with a new batery and turned the key the ignition switch didn't dim and nothing happened. I ran out of time so I couldn't look at it any further. Thought I might get lucky and there woud be a position for the gear selector. Guess not. I was going to jump the starter next to see if the starter was good or not. then trace things back to the switch. With a 900lb camper on the backof the tuck right now al I want is to get it off the truck so it will be easier to work on it. I plan to spend two to three weeks working on the truck figuring out how much work it will be then see how bad the camper is and how much it will take. Big project, I guess I won't look for any lucky breaks and just resolve myself that it's going to be a challange, but that's what I like.