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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Bad neutral safety switch?

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Old Apr 7, 2009 | 04:16 PM
  #1  
llee's Avatar
llee
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Under the hood
Bad neutral safety switch?

88 F250 7.3 diesel manual tranny 4wd

Several months ago the old red money pit quit starting. I can hear a "click" when I turn the key but that is it. I have had the batteries and starter/selenoid tested, and they were fine. I replaced the selenoid on the fender wall - still just the click. Replaced battery cables (except the $150 dual battery one. I ran 4 guage wire between all the connections in case it was that one). still just a click.

The other night I had a dream. I dreampt that my neutral safety switch was bad. When I woke up I thought that is a pretty good idea.

From the day I bought the truck in Sep of last year I had been able to start it without pressing in the clutch.

So here I sit wondering if the neutral safety switch is bad and not letting me start the now sitting axle deep in mud money pit.

Thanks
Les
 
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Old Apr 7, 2009 | 07:56 PM
  #2  
Neptoess's Avatar
Neptoess
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Ohio
yeah you shouldn't be able to start your truck without the clutch being depressed. I'd assume there is a way to tell whether the switch is open or closed. If it does turn out to be bad you could possibly take a look at it and either rig it up to always have it closed or just remove it. I really don't kno though I've never heard of anything like that happening
 
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Old Apr 7, 2009 | 07:57 PM
  #3  
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Neptoess
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From: Ohio
they aren't very expensive if it does need replaced though
 
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Old Apr 8, 2009 | 05:15 PM
  #4  
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tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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make sure the truck is in neutral. set the parking brake. check to make sure it is in neutral again. pop the hood. turn the key to the run position. check to make sure the truck is in neutral again.(we don't want you accidentally getting run over by your own truck).go outside and open the hood. jump the fender mounted solenoid. if the truck starts, the problem is the upper ignition actuator in the column, and not the NSS.
the upper actuator is a little piece of soft metal that connects the key cylinder and the ignition switch rod. when it breaks, it will let everything work except the starter.
it is a common occurrence for it to break. it costs around $10 from the dealer, and is a pain in the *** to put in the first time. once you have done it a few times, it can be done in under 2 hours.
 
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