Idle safety switch on analogue cable based Volvo controls

[BruceK]

I removed the throttle shift levers to make an adjustment on the switch that was beginning to fail and managed to tear a connection pin out of the microswitch.
To start the engine I have to briefly make contact with the two wires.

How does this system work? i.e. what does the neutral safety switch disable to prevent the engine starting and is it safe to leave disconnected apart from a brief touch while starting to enable whatever it does until I can replace it, or should I make good a temporary connection between the two wires?

thanks in advance

 

[Mr Googler]

Stops you starting it in gear I think

 

[BruceK]

In addition to the above is there a specified gap that needs to be observed when replacing the switch. I replaced my control unit levers and that was the point the switch started behaving erratically.

 

[BruceK]

Stops you starting it in gear I think

Yes, we appreciate that, but what does in enable or disable to do so.

 

[BruceK]

Sorry thread title should have said Neutral safety switch

 

[Beamishken]

The switch interrupts the start circuit from the ignition IE it prevents you sending 12v to the starter solenoid ,once the engines running that circuit is doing nothing. Ifyou switch off again you wont be able to restart. You could just link the two wires permanently or replace the start in gear switch, eiter will work provided you are confident you wont start in gear with the throttle fully open

 

[BruceK]

Thanks. Just one more short trip to the hard and then I can replace at my leisure