My 75 F-100 starts in all gears, and the reverse lights do not work. Does this mean the NSS is bad.

 

sounds like something broke on the column,you might want to check if the pin is still there

 

Yes, most likely it's bad.

 

Is the NSS and the backup light switch the same thing on this model truck?

 

yes, its the same thing.

 

Someone must have wired around it for it to start. My 75 has been that way since 92. There is a hole on the upper side of the steering column down by the floor. There is supposed to be a metal tab that moves with the center shaft to change the position of the switch which has a tab that sticks out to hit against it. On mine the metal tab broke. I had to buy a new metal tab and put it in the center shaft. The switch itself was ok. Just never got around to wiring it back up. At least the reverse lights work. I am the only one who drives this truck so not a big deal to me. Hope this helps.

 

My 74 does not have a switch or anything like that an it starts with out touching the clutch. The guy helping me told me the neutral safety switch did not come out till the 81 model. Did Ford have them out before the 81 model year an is the 81 model a GM thing? He is use to working on a GM an don't know a lot about Fords. Is there something wrong with mine or is this normal?

 

That's normal. The neutral safety switch is for automatics. A manual transmission has a clutch interlock instead.

 

No Ford truck (or passenger car) of this vintage had a clutch interlock switch. It was first introduced in 1984.

C7TZ7A247A .. NSS (Motorcraft SW600) / Obsolete

Fits: 1967/77 F100/350.
------------------------
DOTZ7BO97B (replaced DOTZ7B097A & C5TZ7B097A) .. NSS Selector Lever ("metal tab" that operates the NSS) / Obsolete

Fits: 1965/77 F100/350.

Both of these parts can still be found at FoMoCo dealers, obsolete parts vendors. The NSS can also be bought from autoparts stores.

Kalve: The guy helping you hasn't a clue. The first FoMoCo vehicle with a NSS: 1950 Lincoln w/Hydra-Matic. Every FoMoCo vehicle with an A/T has had a NSS since.

 

ok but this is normal for a truck like this to start up without using the clutch? an the neutral safety switch is for autos only not manual trans correct? An I know he has to look at the Haynes book on this one he has not done a manual trans in 25 years an he is use to GM not Ford he has to call his brother in law bout it who knows something bout these trucks.

 

Didn't you notice what I typed in post #9?

There is no such thing as a clutch interlock switch used on any Ford until 1984!

Prior to 1984, you can start the vehicle with the clutch pedal in or out.

The NSS is only used with an A/T.

 

Could somebody post a pick of a working NSS. I'm not sure what pin we are talking about, mine has the lever that sticks out and I can move it and the spring is their, but no pin I guess.

 

Here is the illustration from the Ford parts book, the neutral start switch is basic part number 7A247 and the actuator pin is 7B097. The actuator clips to the shift tube and moves a pin that sticks out of the NSS that is attatched to the steering column with two very short screws (42120-S).
Click on the .pdf link to open the file.

 

I was looking through Dennis Carpenters parts book last night and they have good pics of both parts. Also sell them. I am sure there are other places that sell them too.

 

LMC has the parts also but, at least on the actuator pin, Dennis Carpenter is MUCH cheaper (DC P/N D0TZ-7B097-B $12.00, LMC P/N 43-7240 $39.95) On the switch itself there is 5 cents difference.