OK, LOL...I'm actually trying to logic my way through it and probably looking at this like it is complicated...trying to solve my own issue and this one seemed very close...
What I read about the clutch interlock on the 96 says it interacts with the computer to control fuel delivery between shifts...so I assumed that this also was a function of the computer to keep the starter circuit open (not start)...however, I didn't read beyond that because I found the information I was looking for at the time...what wires to jump to get around the clutch interlock (pink and red)...
According to AutoZone website...
It requires the clutch pedal to be depressed to the floor in order to start the engine.
If cuts off the speed control system when the clutch pedal is depressed.
It provides a fuel control signal to the EEC system.
So...the automatic and computer are not related to starting issues...it's the neutral safety which will simply a cut off the starter system by not closing the circuit...
That makes sense...still more complicated than the 88 CI...
Thanks for the simplification...