Thanks to all that responded. It’s been a long time since I drove a ’57-’58 Chrysler product with automatic transmission but seem to recall that one had to press the Neutral button way in to engage the starter and that with a lighter touch one could place the transmission in neutral with the engine running and not engage the starter. Correct? And, that both the neutral safety switch and vacuum switch had to be making good grounds for the starter to engage.
So, it seems the ’56 300B had the push buttons but still a key start requiring the car be in neutral and the ’59-’64 models also had push buttons and key start. Having the starter engaged by pressing the neutral button was a good idea, but not idiot proof.
Always interesting to hear stories of current valet parking guys not knowing how to start or engage the cars into movement forward or aft. I’m not at all sure I could start some 2016 models that have electronic keyless starting. I ‘ve even had problems figuring out how to start or stop windshield wipers, headlights and turn signals in rent cars. This is not new. ‘40’s & ‘50’s cars and trucks could be started with a key twist, pressing down the clutch or accelerator pedal, push buttons and some even had the starter engaging pedal sticking up out of the floorboard above the accelerator pedal.
Rich Barber
Lost in the ‘50’s.
I belive all that had the start function on the neutral button on TF or PF ? 57 58 for sure . Other wise you push neutral with engine running starter engages , but you have neutral switch too . Might be timing of neutral switch or someting to make it redundant like that . The switches get erratic . I do not know about 55-56 ? Start still on key ?
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 5, 2016, at 1:02 AM, Rich Barber <c300@xxxxxxx> wrote:
My ’55 C-300 did not have a vacuum safety switch and neither does my ‘64K. Just curious as to which years had them.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Rich Barber
Brentwood CA
Agree w John .. Jump vacuum switch and try and jump neutral switch to ground and try . Vacuum switch is a little dicey on these cars. Have also seen wiring mixed up at start relay to vacuum switch but itvwas working right?
Hi Jeff,
You need to first check:
1. The Neutral Switch located on the outside of the transmission.
2. Vacuum Switch on the intake manifold
I don’t think your starter button switch is the problem.
John – Portland, OR - Owned our 300C for 58 years.
The starter button/neutral button in my C fails to engage the starter. Jumping the relay starts the car fine, so I
can only assume the button is the problem.
Is my next step to pull the shift button assembly or is there a simpler attack ? Any insight greatly appreciated !!
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