1988 F-150 w/4.9 6cyld and Mazda 5 Sp manual trans.
For a long time I've really had to push the clutch in HARD, all way to floor, in order to start. Lately, especially when it's cold out, even that doesn't always work. It might bump the starter when I turn the key (w/clutch depressed), or might do nothing. But if I put the truck in neutral and jump the soliniod, it fires right up. Seems to me like some kind of safety neutral type switch. But i can find no reference for this type of switch in my mechanic manual. Any idea'a?
Can it be easily, replaced, adjusted, or bypassed? Thanks

 

You should have safety switch up along your clutch pedal arm. Not sure just where it will be, but look at your brake light switch and then look for something similiar up along the clutch pedal. Are you sure that your ignition switch hasn't worked loose and moves sometimes when you turn the key (and you are just getting lucky with the occasional starts)? I had a problem about like that once.

 

The problem is your bushings are worn out on the rock shaft that your clutch and brake pedal arms attach to. To see if this is correct, push down the brake pedal firmly before pushing in the clutch.

The clutch engaged switch is above the gas pedal. A cylindrical tube "switch" that slides on a metal shaft. It has six wires going into the side of it.

I had the same problem with mine. As a temp measure, I took a horseshoe shaped clip(the one from an old pcv filter) and pulled the switch back a little and inserted it.

Ironically I am now working on that tonight. I am installing a new clutch and I don't want to have problems with this one slipping.

So... New rear main seal, valve cover gasket, fix shift plugs, and new shift plate gasket.

I am also removing the entire clutch/brake assembly and installing bronze machine bushings and thrust washers to replace the worn out plastic ones.