Start problem - NS? PRNDL? Linkage?
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Start problem - NS? PRNDL? Linkage?
I've inherited a 79 F150, 351M, AT, 4WD. Amongst its many problems, it's a bit ticky to start.
Frequently, the shifter has to be slammed to the left for the neutral-safety switch to engage properly. It won't start in neutral at all and the PRNDL indicator is incorrect -- reverse is closer to P than R, park is somewhere between P and the turn-signal lever, etc.
I'd like to fix it sometime before I break off my shift-lever, but I'm not sure where to start. Can the PRNDL be adjusted? How? Where is the neutral-safety switch? Could it be that the linkage is stretched, bent, broken, in need of adjustment?
Could it be something I haven't thought of?
Frequently, the shifter has to be slammed to the left for the neutral-safety switch to engage properly. It won't start in neutral at all and the PRNDL indicator is incorrect -- reverse is closer to P than R, park is somewhere between P and the turn-signal lever, etc.
I'd like to fix it sometime before I break off my shift-lever, but I'm not sure where to start. Can the PRNDL be adjusted? How? Where is the neutral-safety switch? Could it be that the linkage is stretched, bent, broken, in need of adjustment?
Could it be something I haven't thought of?
Last edited by IowaTower; Sep 1, 2004 at 08:53 AM. Reason: Additional question
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From: SD
Welcome to FTE...
A common problem is rusted cab mounts that are weak and causing the cab to sag and throw off the linkage adjustment. Check the front cab mount areas for rust. If they are rusted through, this trouble will only get worse until the mounts are solid again.
To get you buy you could try to readjust the linkages.
If it doesnt' start in or around Neutral then the neutral switch is probably bad. It should start in P and N.
Marty
A common problem is rusted cab mounts that are weak and causing the cab to sag and throw off the linkage adjustment. Check the front cab mount areas for rust. If they are rusted through, this trouble will only get worse until the mounts are solid again.
To get you buy you could try to readjust the linkages.
If it doesnt' start in or around Neutral then the neutral switch is probably bad. It should start in P and N.
Marty
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From: Smithville TX.
My 79 has the neutral switch located in the side of the transmissiom behind the shift linkage. You should be able to make an adjustment there as the linkage is slotted for adjustment.
Michelle
Chelle's 56 Hauler
Michelle
Chelle's 56 Hauler
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Thanks
Originally Posted by ms_michelle
My 79 has the neutral switch located in the side of the transmissiom behind the shift linkage.
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If a rusty cab is not the problem, the linkage needs to be adjusted. The haynes manual should have a section on this. The basic procedure is:
Make sure the parking brake is engaged and the wheels are chocked.
put the transmission in D and hang an 8 lb weight on the shifter lever (this keeps the shift lever against the D stop while the linkage is being adjusted)
loosen the linkage adjusting bolt/nut at the transmission (the linkage should have a slotted hole this nut goes through)
push the gear selector lever sticking out of the trasmission all the way to the back and the move it forward 2 clicks (this puts it in the D position)
Tighten the adjusting bolt.
These instructions are for a non-overdrive column shift automatic.
A haynes manual will have more detail instructions and pictures that make this easier to understand
Make sure the parking brake is engaged and the wheels are chocked.
put the transmission in D and hang an 8 lb weight on the shifter lever (this keeps the shift lever against the D stop while the linkage is being adjusted)
loosen the linkage adjusting bolt/nut at the transmission (the linkage should have a slotted hole this nut goes through)
push the gear selector lever sticking out of the trasmission all the way to the back and the move it forward 2 clicks (this puts it in the D position)
Tighten the adjusting bolt.
These instructions are for a non-overdrive column shift automatic.
A haynes manual will have more detail instructions and pictures that make this easier to understand
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re: Start problem - NS? PRNDL? Linkage?
Frequently, the shifter has to be slammed to the left for the neutral-safety switch to engage properly. It won't start in neutral at all and the PRNDL indicator is incorrect -- reverse is closer to P than R, park is somewhere between P and the turn-signal lever, etc.
OK. I went through the procedure to adjust the linkage and ended up with it right back where it started -- it didn't need adjusted after all.
The neutral-safety switch was only being held on with one screw, so I fixed that. It starts in Park and Neutral both, now.
However, the PRNDL indicator is still messed up; the indicator is to the left of P and it still may not be in Park. Could that be because of the cab-mounts? They look OK, all things considered -- not rusted out, but 25 year old rubber donuts.
The lever on the transmission seems fine, firm without any slop, but the lever on the column is pretty sloppy. I'm leaning towards thinking it's a problem in the column with something being stretched or wallowed out, but I really don't know - I'm not a mechanic, don't even play one on TV.
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try this adjustment, 1)block your wheels 2)place your gear selector lever in neutral[push it back till while pushing back it "feels" like its in a groove] 3)on the tranny remove the gear shift selector nut and rod[verify that the column lever hasnt moved, if so repeat 2 ] 4)clean the switch and look for a small hole 5)loosten the switch and insert a larg paperclip or #43 drill bit through the hole[you may be better off removing the switch for this part] 6)replace the 2 screws 7)redo #2 8)push the selector rod back onto the threaded stud and tighten the locking nut without moving the tranny's position[you will hear a click or clunk nois if it moves] 9) reverify #2 10)start your trruck in p&n
this should solve your problem but not the root cause. to do this 1)nock off the "power" shiftin, its an automatic
this should solve your problem but not the root cause. to do this 1)nock off the "power" shiftin, its an automatic
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Phoenix Az, by way of Fre
Originally Posted by teepee542
If a rusty cab is not the problem, the linkage needs to be adjusted. The haynes manual should have a section on this. The basic procedure is:
Make sure the parking brake is engaged and the wheels are chocked.
put the transmission in D and hang an 8 lb weight on the shifter lever (this keeps the shift lever against the D stop while the linkage is being adjusted)
loosen the linkage adjusting bolt/nut at the transmission (the linkage should have a slotted hole this nut goes through)
push the gear selector lever sticking out of the trasmission all the way to the back and the move it forward 2 clicks (this puts it in the D position)
Tighten the adjusting bolt.
These instructions are for a non-overdrive column shift automatic.
A haynes manual will have more detail instructions and pictures that make this easier to understand
Make sure the parking brake is engaged and the wheels are chocked.
put the transmission in D and hang an 8 lb weight on the shifter lever (this keeps the shift lever against the D stop while the linkage is being adjusted)
loosen the linkage adjusting bolt/nut at the transmission (the linkage should have a slotted hole this nut goes through)
push the gear selector lever sticking out of the trasmission all the way to the back and the move it forward 2 clicks (this puts it in the D position)
Tighten the adjusting bolt.
These instructions are for a non-overdrive column shift automatic.
A haynes manual will have more detail instructions and pictures that make this easier to understand
My linkage is sooo poor, this am while my truck sat in "near" P, it jumped into R, went out my yard, across the street, and took out my neighbours trash, apple tree, brick pavers and fair chunk of sod.
Looks like I'll be doing some landscaping and tree purchasing over the holidays.
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I will stick with my prior response. If you live neer dravosburg PA I will get with you "you doing the work" following what I typed and resolve you'r dellemma. this is a problem that a lot of youngunz have to try with a few strohs for balljoints to get comfortable with to repair. one of my earlier responses on another topic specificly stated was the use of beer as a means of steady nerves, clarity of thought, and most importantly the yes ma'am I can to mama. good luck right.pricegrc@verizon.net
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From: Phoenix Az, by way of Fre
Originally Posted by ford390gashog
if it is a auto tranny it is on the colum super easy fix loosen the two screws and slide it over
where are the screws you speak of?