1978 f250 custom 5.8. Has had this odd problem of not starting off and on for a couple years. Brand new batteries, starter, solenoid and battery wiring and ground wires. Truck has dual batteries, slave set up. Cranks fine when i jump the solenoid. Their is just no power when i turn the key, everything else works though. Issue is not lack of power. Is it my ignition switch? how do i remove and replace this? Any other ideas? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Check the neutral saftey switch also. Try shaking the shifter and cranking in neutral.

 

make sure the connection on there is crimped down tight enough

 

X2 on the NSS

 

Could be a corroded or dirty "S" wire at the solenoid post as well.

How good is the harness from the firewall to the solenoid? If it has been hacked a time two maybe a ghetto splice is going bad as well.

Josh

 

Try everyone's suggestions first, but if you have to remove the complete ing switch.
Key in or out does not matter, just replacing tumblers it matters, anyway.

See the ring around the outside with the 3 grooves in it?
Take a #1 or 2 flat tip and tap gently in one of those grooves in the loosening direction (counter clock wise).

After a loosening tap the whole 3 grooves ring piece should un-thread from around the ignition assy. It should have a metal ring tab piece with a arm on the backside.

Remove from dash from the back side and un plug 9 pin/blade elec connector. Order from sponsor on here, Rock Auto, JBG or almost any local parts store should have it.

Let us know what you get figure out, ok? When reinstalling once you get the ring on, hold the ing assy from the back to prevent it from turning when tightening, and getting your key slot outa alignment.

 

Okay, truck is going into the mechanic on Thursday, it has been starting fine, but now it isn't going into gear everytime and im needing new front brakes. Can I change the tranny fluid myself? Should I just order new front brakes, on my own, I dont suppose anyone make a kit for it, its the fronts with the hub included and dual piston calipers.

 

Go get a Chilton or Hays manual at the parts store and get to reading.

Get a new ignition switch and change it, its takes like a minute to swap them out. Get a new set of front brakes and replacing them, its easy, takes me longer to get the thing jacked up and the tires off.

Rotors are not that bad if needed replaced, just a little technical. You will need a 4 pin "hub socket" to make it easy, they should sell one in the parts store, look in the special tool dept.

That same book will talk you thru cking or adding xman fluid first and then a filter change on the transmission if needed.

If you DO not or CAN not change your own oil, then I would suggest getting all this work done. Brakes are not something to do, not know what you are doing.

I might suggest locating a fellow FTE member in your state (NE) right? And see if you can get some help on this task, having a experienced eye and hand make learning it a lot easier.

And can get a hand on this no start once in a while/NSS issue.

 

okay, i replaced the ignition switch, didnt solve the starting issue. sometimes it will crank slowly, and then stop like its stuck almost, or like its not getting enough power, i can go out and cross the battery to the solenoid ign+ and it will crank and fire up. sometimes it does crank very slowly, like its stuggling a little bit. If i shut it off while im driving and put it in neutral it will start right back up. im lost on the issue and getting frusterated.

The truck ran great for 10 hours straight last night during a snowstorm, i just cant shut it off.

 

I had a 78 F250 that did that when I jumped it. I changed my postive battery cable and took an emery cloth and cleaned up the postive battery post and the post on the solinoid. Cured my problem

 

bump bump bump

 

Sounds like your shifter rod has slipped and also the NSS has slipped as well.

Plus dirty connections...

Josh

PS don't bump a thread unless you have something usefull in the post...

 

Try replacing the ignition modual. Mine had a similar problem and that took care of it.

 

Swapping parts for no reason isn't exactly the remedy now is it?

Especially since the ignition module has nothing to do with slow cranking or an engine that won't shut off...

Josh

 

okay can you explain the shifter being out of place, how easy is adjusting the neutral safety switch, I do have a new one, but the one on the truck looks fairly clean and new, but could be bad. Use a no 43. drill bit? what size is that exactly?

I have thought about the ignition module, but it was further back on the list as its more expensive and less likely to be the problem. Therefore i have not replaced it.