Starts in GEAR !!!

[scobar]

Wanted to warm it up to change the oil so I reach in and turned the key. As it started to steam through the back of my shop I was scrambling to get it shut down. Well it only went about 5' before I killed it, but it cost me a ladder, one of the original seats and scarred the cra# out of the dog when it stopped at the side of his kennel.
What did I do wrong in my build that allows it to start in gear? I'm kinda OK with it now that I know this, but man it was crazy 1 second

[Gryphon]

Ummm....since it's a stick, they do that unless you install a clutch interlock...no clue how to do that as they are usually only on computer-controlled rigs. Older Toyota units could be bypassed with a paperclip...I would make a short connector instead.

If was an auto, then the neutral safety switch is either missing, disconnected or stuck open.

[GreenCJ-7]

You did nothing wrong. That's how its supposed to be. You could put a switch on the clutch pedal and wire it into the starting circuit, but why would you????

[Chilly]

Your Jeep was built before Ralph Nader and his merry band of nannies decided all vehicles needed a neutral safety switch. Ironically, before neutral safety switches were so common everyone knew better than to do what you did. But alas Nader and the nannies fixed it good for you. Not only were you saved from in-gear startups, you were saved from narrow axles and short wheelbase CJ5 Jeeps entirely.

[TJJEEPER]

I had to disable the clutch switch on my TJ, so I could start it without the clutch being pushed in, but I don't remember mine ever having to be in neutral to start it. Any idea when that was started? I may have disabled that too, but I don't remember doing it. Of course, that was 12 years ago.
I know, this is a CJ forum, I also had a 73 CJ5, don't remember "ANY" safety switches of any kind on it! Darn, I miss that JEEP!

[Gryphon]

Your Jeep was built before Ralph Nader and his merry band of nannies decided all vehicles needed a neutral safety switch. Ironically, before neutral safety switches were so common everyone knew better than to do what you did. But alas Nader and the nannies fixed it good for you. Not only were you saved from in-gear startups, you were saved from narrow axles and short wheelbase CJ5 Jeeps entirely.

Yeah, and they saved our grown-up lives by forcing airbags that kill children, so they can't sit up front or ride in a pickup any more...unless you live in Arizona where you can just toss them in the bed still...

I hate neutral switches. Always have to override them so I can move via the starter...cant count the time thats saved my butt on inclines...and the time it got me up to the gas pump! Good for climbing ramps too, etc...

TJJeeper: On a stick, the clutch needs to be depressed only. Autos need to be in neutral. It's actually a neutral switch for autos and a clutch interlock for manuals.

[herman8r2]

If you ever happen to have a catastrophic clutch failure, you can still limp home if you can start it in gear. It's not very smooth, but it beats the heff out of a $500 tow bill. Just be aware of it and be glad that you own a vehicle that hasn't been dumbed down to save the stupid people.

[scobar]

Actually it's kind of a cool option, I don't mind having. Get in the Jeep in a parking lot and your half way out of the spot before it starts! I can live with that, but that first experiance WOW, I though it was going through the back wall of the shop. Glad I didn't have to explain that to the wife

[r_wichman]

First time I found out my Jeep starts in gear was in a parking lot... Was going to show off the 304's new exhaust for my buddies. I thought the Jeep was in neutral... it ended up jumping the curb and started to drive through the grass. I was super impressed by the starter. ;-)

[beebop]