Well guys, I'm getting things fixed on Lemmy (1973 F100, 390, C6, fact. AC). The two issues that have me scratching my head the most (for now at least), are as follows; when in reverse, there are no back-up lights--bulbs are new. The second issue is that the truck starts in park, but does not start in neutral. I know that it's SUPPOSED to be able to start in neutral, but it does not do so...One guy said that these two issues might be related.

I don't know where to start looking to locate switches or anything of the sort to begin solving these issues...Any ideas?

Thanks for any help!

Ng

 

You need to adjust the switch. I think it's on the lower part of the column, my 79 it was on the transmission. Somebody will be along that knows for sure.

 

In '73 the NSS (neutral start switch) is located towards the base of the steering column, this is also the backup light switch.
The switch has two screws that can be loosened to adjust the switch. The most common problem with these switches is the actuator breaks off and the switch doesn't work at all. It's easy to replace and is still available (dont go LMC though, waaaay overpriced).

 

So I'm assuming it just needs to be repositioned to function correctly?

Thanks again guys!

NG

 

Ok...well...I put brand spankin new bulbs in the reverse light positions, then I flooded the switch with electrical contact cleaner and worked the switch back and forth. The actuator "finger" is intact and is sliding the switch back and forth, but I still can't start the truck in neutral, nor do I have reverse lights. Could the switch itself be bad, or is it likely an issue elsewhere?

Any thoughts would help.

Ng

 

Yes they can go bad and that may be the problem. My self ,I would just replace it . My $.02 worth.-----

 

If your wipers work, the fuse for the back up lights is good, it's the same circuit. Unplug the NSS switch and using a multimeter check for continuity between the two red w/ black trace wires on the switch when the trans. is in reverse. If it doesn't show continuity then the switch is bad.

 

Better to check the switch first, they're on the expensive side ~$70-$95 depending on where you buy it.

 

Not trying to hijack this thread, but on my 78' the reverse lights were on when i was in park, I have the bulbs out of them now, but I'm guessing it's the neutral safety switch that was causing that...

 

I got outside and mucked about with the neutral safety switch. Figured out that it does need to be repositioned, butttttt...that switch has about 1/32 of an inch area where the reverse lights are functional, and that area is spotty at best. I now have the switch positioned so the truck starts in park and neutral, but still have no reverse lights. I THINK that the switch needs to be replaced, so now I have a question about that process.

How does this thing connect? I can see the wires going up into the dash from the column that it is attached to, but cannot feel a connection boot or anything like that. Are they soldered, or is there a push on connection boot?

Ng

 

There is a flat four terminal plug that you can unplug. The switch itself is attached to the column with two screws and that's it. Unplug the plug, take out the two screws and you can remove the switch.

 

Thanks again Mike!!! I'm going to take the switch out and see if there is any way to recondition the switch and make the contacts function properly, before I go and buy a new one...those things are expensive!!!

 

Tried to recondition the switch and got it working a bit better. I installed it back in the truck, and the reverse light spot is so tiny that I can't seem to get it aligned properly.

It also seems like the switch needs to rotate 1/4 inch or so around the column from its current position, clockwise. It is currently set at the maximum clockwise position that the holes allow. I don't know if I need to bend the actuator arm or just give in and get a new switch.

 

My guess would be the switch is bad. One thing, DON'T bend the actuator arm, it'll break. These are tempered steel and the metal is brittle. They're easy to replace if the coulmn is out of the truck, they snap onto the shift tube, but on the expensive side for what they are. Dennis Carpenter has them for $12.95, LMC $39.95 (!).