Neutral-safety switch?
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
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Neutral-safety switch?
OK guys, I tried to start my truck this morning, and it wouldn't do a thing with the tranny in park. I could hear the solenoid clicking, but that's it. I shifted to neutral, and it fired right up. Does this sound like a neutral safety switch issue? Can they be adjusted? What is involved?
1978 F150 SC 4x4, 351M, C6
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1978 F150 SC 4x4, 351M, C6
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Asheville, NC
The solenoid should not click without the starter operating. Are you sure it is the starter solenoid that you hear?
Your linkage probably needs adjusting. Its not too hard to do. I replaced the washers and bushings on my linkage on my '83 with the C6. It required no additional adjustments. Best of luck to you.
Your linkage probably needs adjusting. Its not too hard to do. I replaced the washers and bushings on my linkage on my '83 with the C6. It required no additional adjustments. Best of luck to you.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,997
Likes: 2,744
From: Virginia
The neutral safety switch interrupts the current to the starter solenoid(relay) on the fender. If it was clicking, then it was getting power. You may just have a corroded connection on the battery or starter relay.
A test you can try if it's dark, is to turn on the headlights when you are having trouble, and then try to start it. If the headlights stay bright, and you hear the click but no start, then I would agree, it may be your solenoid(relay). If when you try to start, you get a click, and the headlights go out, then I would suspect a corroded connection at the battery, or the battery may have an intermittent dead cell.
A test you can try if it's dark, is to turn on the headlights when you are having trouble, and then try to start it. If the headlights stay bright, and you hear the click but no start, then I would agree, it may be your solenoid(relay). If when you try to start, you get a click, and the headlights go out, then I would suspect a corroded connection at the battery, or the battery may have an intermittent dead cell.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,237
Likes: 3
From: Belleville, Ontario
A possible quick test for the linkage/shifter adjustment....Hold the shifter up in the park position with one hand while you turn the key with the other. Older trucks linkage gets sloppy & holding the shifter in park often works.
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