Hi from way far North Dakota! I just purchased an '81 Eagle which I was told "ran before we parked it' a year ago. The kid who was driving it came over and used pliers to bypass the solenoid and it did start. I then drove it down the street and back, came back to pick it up and now I am pretty sure the trouble is the neutral safety switch. Assuming that is the problem, do you have any idea where I can find this part? I am in the middle of nowhere and internet is tough but I cant find any pics on google and darned if I cant' see the wires or anything underneath. Does the protective plate have to be removed for access? I am excited to get this running asap since if it does I get to go home for vacation and see my baby boy for first time since June 4. I love AMC for the simplicity and I am sure there must be something simple, right? My '64 Rambler Classic (first car) was ultra easy to work on too, as was my Gremlin which had the same 258 six. Cheeers!
Welcome, I moved your post from the other thread and started a new topic for you. I'm not sure which protectvie plate you are talking about. Do you mean the transmission crossmember? If so, it might make it easier to get in there. It is located on the left side of the transmission.
(http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss167/pwa_fcva/ShiftLink001.jpg)
If it's the NSS, you could always just run a ground wire to the bottom stud of the starter solenoid or install a solenoid for a manual transmission vehicle. It will allow the car to start in gear though.
And its a very common MOPAR part. Pretty much any parts house in the country should have one.
Someone want to see if RMH8400's email notification is turned on? I wish I could write code better. I've had an idea for years about a website that could really fix the "whereisit?" questions like a Wikipedia but better. I tried to get Schucks (CSK, now OReilly's) to make it, but they figured it was only good for older cars.