Thread: Neutral switch finally went south

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I know very little about electrical, so am asking for help so I can do this properly.
'91 Ford F150 regular cab longbed, 300 six, 5-speed, 4 X 4. It has been more and more troublesome to start in the past few weeks. When I first got the truck a year ago, you could just hold the key switch to the start position and push the clutch pedal to the floor to engage the starter. In the past several months, in addition to that routine, I'd have to give the steering wheel a tug one way or the other for the starter to catch. Now it won't make contact at all when I turn the steering wheel and the truck is dead in the driveway.

My question is, whether this would be a neutral safety switch issue or a key start issue in the column? I don't want to just start yanking parts out and replacing them until I fix it, I'd like to do it right the first time. Can I get some help from Denny or someone else who is electrically savvy?

speaking of that, i need to wire in a neutral safety switch in my car, yes i know, i know ive been meaning to but whats scary is it passes tech! :O

Originally Posted by gassersrule_196

speaking of that, i need to wire in a neutral safety switch in my car, yes i know, i know ive been meaning to but whats scary is it passes tech! :O

Not at Firebird it won't...

Originally Posted by DennyW

Tech, it sounds like the screws may have come loose on the column that hold the ignition switch. That should be located uner the dash, farther down on the column. You should be able to see the switch, and the small 5/16" screws, I believe. The switch may just need to be reset, and tighten the screws. There may be a plastic cover over the column.

Also, if the switch is worn in that spot, moving it a little will give you a fresh contact point.

Thanks Denny, I'll start on it tomorrow morning early (when it's still cool here in the desert)

Fords up here in Canada have wierd little one-way screws holding the switch in place, they're a bitch to do anything with. Don't know about US built trucks.

I have had a similar problem in my street rod. The column is a locking column with the switch mounted about half way down the column. Somehow the gremlins get in every few months, and move the switch a tiny bit causing starting difficulties. It's a bitch to re-set to get it right, but the good thing is there are only two screws to tighten once you find the right position. One of these days I'm going to get rid of that old column and replace it with a new one taht doesn't have the locking mechanism and the ignition key. But until then guess I will just have to tweak it from time to time.

don't forget to check the sw. on the clutch peddle. unplug it and jump it with a cotter pin.

Originally Posted by lt1s10

don't forget to check the sw. on the clutch peddle. unplug it and jump it with a cotter pin.

Bingo! $58.05 at the local Ford parts counter.