'88 E250 CW 7.5L C6 - Starts in Neutral but not in Park
 

New to the forum, so thanks in advance for any assistance. I tried searching for this but must've used the wrong search terms. My apologies if this is covered elsewhere.

Started with AT in Park just fine yesterday, but today the key turns, I hear a buzz from the fuel pump (I think), and then I continue turning until ... nothing happens. Thought the battery was too dead to crank but new battery resulted in same thing. Got the bright idea to try starting in Neutral, and bingo! Started right up (of course it did, it has a new battery!).

I know there's some kind of switch that has failed, but be it electrical or mechanical, or where it's located I have no idea. Any thoughts?

What your looking for is the NSS (Neutral Safety Switch) AKA - Range Selector.

Mounted on the left *driver's* side of the transmission.

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS NS29

Fairly easy to replace. Common cause to the problem your having.
Can also be a cause of no back-up-lights.

Another problem can be from the connector to the NSS, they corrode and can cause the same problem.

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS S631

Also, check the shift cable and the shift tube on the steering column, if your shift lever has a lot of play in it, this could cause the same problem.

Thanks Wildman25, that's exactly what I was looking for. I knew posting on this site would bring results!

There is quite a bit of play in my steering column but since it's such a PITA to access I'm hoping that it's the NSS or its connector, as you suggested. I'll check it out right away and let you know!

Thanks again.

-Kyle

The NSS Wildman25 mentioned: STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS NS29 translates to
Motorcraft E7TZ-7A247-B Neutral Safety Switch SW-2136 if you want a Motorcraft part. You would have to wait on it to be shipped.
Actually this one is about the same price as RA once you add in shipping.

NOS Ford E7TZ-7A247-B Neutral Safety Switch SW-2136 | eBay

Thanks annaleigh, that is really useful information. I plan to investigate this weekend and I'll take pictures of the whole process as they may prove helpful to others in the future.

-Kyle

Well hopefully it is something simple. if it is the NSS and you do decide to use the order the Motorcraft one, don't procrastinate. I have had a Motorcraft IVR from Ebay in an opened window for over a week now, it was $29 with shipping. I was going to replace it when I changed my speedometer cable. Yesterday I ordered the speedometer cable and went to buy the IVR and it had just sold! Now I have to pay $45 for one!

Thanks for the heads up. I'll likely go with whichever is cheaper as this a budget project.

I can understand that! I have been slowly rebuilding my 88 with new Motorcraft parts. During the winter I have been collecting parts I will likely change out in the summer. The advantage is I have no time constraints so I can take my time shop around for prices.

Do you have a thread that covers your rebuilding process on here somewhere? I love that sort of thing, and one that features an '88 would be incredibly helpful.

Regardless, however, best of luck on the rebuild and thanks for the help!

-Kyle

no, unfortunately. My posts are spread out across the site. I don't know if there is a way to compile them all together into one thread. Some of them were replies to other folks because was planning on doing the same project.
An example might be like here where I was searching for door weatherstrips.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ip-to-buy.html

Then here where I posted info I had ran across in reply to someone elses post. The two tie together.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15399205

Then I was reworking the engine cooling system and broke a bolt off at the thermostat housing.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...sing-bolt.html

Those and there are several others that could be put together just for the 1988 econoline along with other posters who have shared their knowledge.
I replaced every part on my AC system last year and had intended to make a post with all the part numbers and what I learned while doing the job but I wound up with several different posts about that too and so the part numbers never got put all together.
I use the van every week and a few times as my daily driver. I eventually want to turn it into a camper van and be able to hit the road when i have time.So I thought I would just replace parts I know are worn and slowly swap out parts that might go bad due to age so I wouldn't have so many of those little issues that seem to pop up in older vans from time to time.
I also have a 1985 that is almost the same van as my 88. I think I have several posts from when I was working on it. It has a carb where my 88 is EFI
Attachment 195085

You are more then welcome for the help.. that is what most all of us are here for! I have learned so much here from all the great folks.

LOVE that paint scheme. That might be the nicest looking van from our generation that I've ever seen. I'm too embarrassed to show you a picture of my van - it's brown and rusty and we call it "Groot", accordingly.

By coincidence, I need new door seals as well so I will read your posts with great interest!

Thanks again.

Well, because I could still start the van in Neutral (and because I'm cheap), I put off the replacement until the Reverse/Backup lights would no longer come on.

Turns out it was a 15 minute job, the most difficult part of which was taking off the interior engine cover to disassemble the electrical connector (I couldn't do it from underneath [although that could be my incompetence - your mileage my vary]).

The van now starts properly in Park and the Reverse lights illuminate. Should've done this a long time ago.

New Part STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS NS29:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...415f846774.jpg

Before:
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...eae89a0ce3.jpg

After:
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...020e6707e7.jpg

Sounds like you procrastinate like I do! Great job and thanks for posting the pics and part number..

I forgot to reply to your post about my 85 van. Sadly it is sitting getting covered in green from being damp under the carport. I need to take time and wash it. It does have a couple of spots with rust around the drip rail.. I may wind up selling it because I need to get down to just 2 cars.. BUT all the major parts swap between my two vans. Right now if I accidentally totaled my 88 I could get the 85 going!

YEs the advantage to cars from the south.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...865818accb.jpg

Annaleigh, you have nice couple of vans, there! Thanks for the kind comments.