in over our heads?

[Luckylobster<3]

Hello! My boyfriend & I are thrilled to be moving in the direction of our dreams. We recently purchase a 1976 Chevy Bus, that is not running.
We are now struggling with the wiring of the bus neutral safety switch. Does anyone know of a diagram that could help?

We have located several people selling a paper manual, which I intend to purchase. We are currently facing a major time crunch as our bus must be running with in 7 days.

[Tootalltechie]

Chevrolet truck manuals for the light duty trucks are very close to the medium duty trucks. Body panels are different of course but mechanical works are really close. Check out lmc truck and there are a lot of chevrolet truck forums. I have a pdf chev pickup manual that is very close to my 1974 chev bluebird. The only difference is the bus body. The dash and drive train are all Chevy.

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[Tootalltechie]

BTW welcome to the skoolie way of life.

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[Carytowncat]

Welcome!

No need to panic, this forum has members with enough magic to guide you through any repair, including the neutral safety switch

I happy to have been called an electrical genius on many occasion, so if you are in Richmond i can help.
Where are you located?

Ps. congrats on buying a classic!

[Luckylobster<3]

Thank you so much for your offer! Unfortunately, we are located in Vancouver, WA.

[Luckylobster<3]

Thank you!

[somewhereinusa]

Please when asking questions like this,state exactly what model chassis you have with as much info as you can give. 75 Chevy bus doesn't narrow it down much.
While in your possession did it run and now doesn't run? If so have you unhooked any wires such as door safety switches? How do you know it's the neutral safety switch? If you turn on the ignition and jump the starter solenoid will it run? Is it gas or diesel?

[Luckylobster<3]

It is a 76 if that makes a difference, gas. It has not run, saler did not have much info as it was left on his property. The starter works, it was tested @ a shop. Carborator is new, oil change, fluids, battery & various hoses, gasket on intake manafold all new. The neutral safety switch is a best guess as the issue. When key turned on lights on dash come on that is it.

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by Luckylobster<3

It is a 76 if that makes a difference, gas. It has not run, saler did not have much info as it was left on his property. The starter works, it was tested @ a shop. Carborator is new, oil change, fluids, battery & various hoses, gasket on intake manafold all new. The neutral safety switch is a best guess as the issue. When key turned on lights on dash come on that is it.

Possibly a safety lock-out switch... Along with neutral safety switch.

[milkmania]

Automatic or standard?
If it's standard, there's a clutch pedal switch also on some

And some vehicles (usually tractors) required the parking brake engaged

Spitballin' here

[Luckylobster<3]

Thank you for the idea!

[Luckylobster<3]

Thanks, I will check!

[milkmania]

Is it automatic or standard?

[Luckylobster<3]

The bus is Automatic

[somewhereinusa]

Very first thing to do is jump the starter solenoid to see it it will turn over. That will eliminate any doubt about the starter and cables to the starter. If it will turn over, turn the key on and see if it will start by jumping the starter solenoid.
It doesn't do any good to "guess" at things, you have to check. I hate it when people start throwing parts at things in the hope that it will work, it's a waste of money.
If it really is the neutral switch and you have to move it, it's not hard to wire around. (I didn't say that, don't everyone get their panties in a wad).
If you don't know what model it is, post a picture. 1976 just isn't enough info, although in 76 there probably wasn't all that many interlocks.

Dick

[milkmania]

Before starter was pulled (and taken out of the loop)
It should have been jumped across as SomewhereinUSA stated...
If you're not sure how to jump a starter solenoid, Google is your friend.
https://www.google.com/search?safe=o...k1.yO_-zFB6lng


The scenario SomewhereinUSA was talking about is:
1) turn ignition to RUN
2) jump starter solenoid. If it starts & runs, it tells you that connection is good. If it does not start & run, then it's a switch (or bad wire) breaking the connection.

But, keep in mind...
You're trying to start something that hasn't run in years... You can only guess what caused it's removal from service... What was scavenged off of it before it left the school yard, etc.
Did a mechanic pull a part he needed for another bus, to keep it going?

Lot of variables!

[Carytowncat]

Can you take a video with a phone and upload to youtube and post the link here.

[crazycal]

Originally Posted by somewhereinusa

Please when asking questions like this,state exactly what model chassis you have with as much info as you can give. 75 Chevy bus doesn't narrow it down much.

You're just lazy and don't want to work harder than necessary.