Neutral Safety Switch - MT

Hi.
I don't mean to get flamed as some sort of automotive uber bonehead, but
when it comes to installing remote starters on manual transmissions - WHY
(please SOMEBODY tell me) - why does it seem so implausible to simply build
a neutral safety switch for mt's?!

Isn't there some reasonable way to maybe put a magnetic proximity sensor on
the shift shaft or something to tell when the damn thing is in neutral? It
isn't rocket science - it's a lever on a stick!

I have this really nice unit which is nicer than the one "designed" for
manual trans, which would then also have a series of ridiculous "reservation
mode" steps to follow... why not just put it in neutral (including the
e-brake in series of course to ensure *both* are engaged) and Voila??

Anybody know how / where - or do I just muck around until I build one
myself?
It's for a 2004 Honda Civic.
Thanks!

 

you effectively already have one - it's on the clutch pedal and means
you can't start it unless the clutch is fully depressed - and we all
know the vehicle can't transmit drive when the clutch is fully
depressed, don't we?

 

Yes, of course there's that - but that is bypassed by the starter during the
starting process. The point is to somehow ensure the car is in neutral and
e-braked before doing so. Units "designed" for mt's require a number of
steps to try to ensure this. I just can't believe their isn't a more direct
method of mechanically or otherwise determining "Am I In Neutral - Yes or
No?"

 

er, ok, so what problem are you having? don't you ever check the stick?

 

Which unit do you have? Many years ago when I was in the Mobile Electronics
business I carried and installed a unit out of Canada by Astro-Start that
sounds something like what you are describing. It used optical sensors on
the shifter (2 sets, 1 for the X axis and one for the Y axis) to detect if
the car was in neutral. Magnetics would be unreliable cause you can't aim a
magnetic field reliably.

But even this unit had a specific shut-down sequence you had to follow or
else it would disable itself. In addition to making sure the vehicle was in
neutral, it also wanted to make sure the e-brake was set.

 

Of course - but what if I forget. The 'net is full of such horror stories.
-e

 

aha! OK! Yes - this is what I'm talking about! That sounds like an
interesting solution.

I could build something like that with minimal effort - X and Y too, makes
sense. The magnetic thing I was suggesting was more of a proximity
concept - something simple like a mod on a magnetic door switch for house
alarms. If the magnet is close enough, the switch engages. Similar, but
different, as the shifter has a lot more play than a swinging door on fixed
hinges.

I'm also checking out Astro Start - thanks for the tip.
-e

 

What if you "forget"? How ridiculous.

If you "forget" such a thing, then you're basically a lousy driver and
should not be allowed to drive a manual transmission.

 

tegger, are we sure he's old enough to drive?

 

Maybe he's got wooden blocks on the pedals.

 

liability issues, for the mfr and installer.

and that stick is supposed to stay in gear, even when parked. emergency
brakes can and do fail, or even creep... not good especially on steep
hills.

e-brakes go out of adjustment, they CAN slip, they can be partially
engaged.

dunno, but im sure its been done before. ask around to some stereo/alarm
places?

 

forget what? ive forgotten whats supposed to be remembered.

AFAIK, sticks should be kept in gear when parked- NOT in neutral.

 

In UK the rule is 'stick' in N unless on a hill.
Also if on a hill park with the wheels turned into the kerb.

Just an observation, in Europe we tend to take responsibility for our
own actions (like checking the car is safe to start BEFORE starting) in
some other countries the responsibility seems to lie with the vehicle
manufacturer.

A few examples from more than one country.

Clutch in to start
Chimes for drivers door open - in case you forget to close it and fall out.
Devices to try and put the seat belt on.
Doors that lock themselves as you drive away

or maybe we are just backward in Europe????

 

I'd say I hope I am at least a better driver than you are couth, my dear T -
e - guh - guh... errrr
:-/

Looks like the real suggestions have ended.
You can go back to your regular programming now that the trolls have
arrived.
Thanks.
-e

 

Agreed. That's sort of the crux of the problem.
Park Properly or Park So You Can Use a Remote Starter...
:-/ hm.

Guess that's where automatic transmissions come in. Kind of like the
blocks-on-the-pedels TeGGer seemed so keen about - like training wheels for
shifters-in-training.

-e

 

No, you just don't seem to have an army of litigious lawyers running around
suing for stupidity.