Clutch switch in 88.
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 30
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Clutch switch in 88.
Hey all,
I have an 88 7.3 with the 5 speed, 4 wheel drive. I've noticed that over the past few months I've had to put my foot into the fire wall to activate the cut off switch to the starter.
Well it ran out of room, because it will not work. I climbed under the dash and it is the non adjustable type. For now I shorted it out to get it going, but being a Lariat, it has cruise control, and it now sees the clutch as "in" and won't work.
Is this switch expensive, or is there something I can adjust. I find the clutch has to be pushed hard to engage reverse anyway, so perhaps the switch is not the problem? Foriegn area to me I'm afraid. Any help is greatly appreciated.
I have an 88 7.3 with the 5 speed, 4 wheel drive. I've noticed that over the past few months I've had to put my foot into the fire wall to activate the cut off switch to the starter.
Well it ran out of room, because it will not work. I climbed under the dash and it is the non adjustable type. For now I shorted it out to get it going, but being a Lariat, it has cruise control, and it now sees the clutch as "in" and won't work.
Is this switch expensive, or is there something I can adjust. I find the clutch has to be pushed hard to engage reverse anyway, so perhaps the switch is not the problem? Foriegn area to me I'm afraid. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
if it's the nonadjustable switch, your only options are replacing it or popping the connection apart and jumpering between the clutch disconnect pins. my cruise was disconnected when i bought mine and i didn't bother with getting another wiring harness hooked up, so that wasn't a point of concern. however, if you're having to mash pedal to floor to get a solid neutral to go to reverse, you've probably got a cracked firewall due to flex fatigue. ford had a fix for this that consisted of a plate that you glued and bolted to the firewall in that position to stiffen it up. that might not be your problem, but get a friend to mash the clutch while you're looking at the firewall in the engine compartment. if you see it flexing, that probably is the problem.
speedrdr
speedrdr
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
If you bypassed the clutch interlock switch and your cruise doesn't work now, you picked the wrong wire. The cruise control portion of the switch uses Red/ Light Green and the clutch switch is Red/ Light Blue.
Jason
Jason
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
Along with the above problem......
Check the firewall by the booster for flexing and cracks when clutch pedal is pushed a ....known problem. It is fixable with a kit(s) from Ford. Also check the bushings on the clutch pedal arms for wear.......The smallest amount of wear is accentuated at the clutch/TOB
Check the firewall by the booster for flexing and cracks when clutch pedal is pushed a ....known problem. It is fixable with a kit(s) from Ford. Also check the bushings on the clutch pedal arms for wear.......The smallest amount of wear is accentuated at the clutch/TOB
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Saint John, NB
I had the same thing happen. I had no flex at all so I bought the plastic bushings. Once i got the pedels out I found that the end over by the gas pedel was worn so bad it was oval shaped and the bushing did nothing. I welded on some washers to gring it back to round replaced the bushings. That was 5 years ago, my buddy owns the truck now and its still shifting fine.
