Neutral safety switch |
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ankarback
Member Joined: 31-October-2010 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 69 |
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Posted: 12-June-2011 at 3:22AM |
Does a -72 Gran Torino has a neutral safety switch? Other cars I've had couldn't be started unless the gear selector was in P or N. I just almost drove my car trough the wall in my garage in reverse
If it got one can someone tell me how it's working and were it's at. I checked my repair manual but couldn't find anything about it there. The car has a C6 automatic with column shift. |
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Ford Gran Torino -72 4dr 390 C6 9"
Ford Bronco -91 Silver Anniversary |
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bmf
Member Joined: 06-February-2011 Location: Chico Ca Status: Offline Points: 101 |
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It is the ignition switch under the dash and mounted on the steering column.
Put key in lock position. Put the shift lever park. Loosen the two nuts on the switch. Pull the plunger rod out as far as possible then push it in one detent notch and it will be in the locked position. There is a hole on the top. Insert a 3/32 drill bit in the hole. This keeps it locked. Move switch back and forth to center it for lash and tighten nuts. Remove pin. Check for proper start/non start. Some models have covers that need to be removed. Ray |
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"I am completely broke and have the ability to sustain that"
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ankarback
Member Joined: 31-October-2010 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 69 |
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Thanks a lot for the info. I try and see if I can get it fixed.
I suspect the switch might be broken since I have to lift the shift lever to be able to start... |
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Ford Gran Torino -72 4dr 390 C6 9"
Ford Bronco -91 Silver Anniversary |
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CMD1
New Member Joined: 03-August-2008 Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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The neutral safety switch is down close to the firewall on right side of the steering column. They are sometimes bypassed when they go bad. Mine is located there and is an early ( 2/1972 ) column shift with a C6 also.
Best I remember it has 2 wires coming from it, and it has a connector in it's wiring harness near the steering column upper support under the instrument cluster area. Hope this helps. Edited by CMD1 - 12-June-2011 at 4:01PM |
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ankarback
Member Joined: 31-October-2010 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 69 |
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OK, so it's not mechanical then??
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Ford Gran Torino -72 4dr 390 C6 9"
Ford Bronco -91 Silver Anniversary |
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bmf
Member Joined: 06-February-2011 Location: Chico Ca Status: Offline Points: 101 |
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CMD1 is not quite correct. The switch he is referring to is the back up light switch.
Ford has not put on a separate neutral safety switch since 1970 on a column shift model. I need to correct my previous post in that the lock hole is a notch on the side and on the one I pulled to check I could only insert a very small allen wrench. My drill bits were not small enough. Not sure of how to get to it though. If you pull the padded part of the dash you can see it. Chime in here someone, mine are apart so I cant help on this. Ray
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"I am completely broke and have the ability to sustain that"
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ankarback
Member Joined: 31-October-2010 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 69 |
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OK, thanks for clarifying that. I figure out how to remove the dash panels, no problem.
Now I know what to look for. |
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Ford Gran Torino -72 4dr 390 C6 9"
Ford Bronco -91 Silver Anniversary |
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72BoB
Senior Member Joined: 25-January-2011 Location: Atlanta Status: Offline Points: 248 |
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I don't mean to jack the thread, but say I was installing a Lokar automatic trans shifter mounted on top of the tranny and I wanted to hook the neutral safety switch to that... What would I have to do? |
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1972 Torino
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bmf
Member Joined: 06-February-2011 Location: Chico Ca Status: Offline Points: 101 |
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Most if not all, have the switch included.
Check their specs. Ray
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"I am completely broke and have the ability to sustain that"
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72BoB
Senior Member Joined: 25-January-2011 Location: Atlanta Status: Offline Points: 248 |
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Yeah, the Lokar units do...
I just realized that it was a stupid question... Edited by 72BoB - 15-June-2011 at 2:18AM |
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1972 Torino
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kenneth
Senior Member Joined: 19-May-2006 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 1373 |
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I don't mean to bust a bubble here but I believe CMD1 to be correct in his reference.
Follow the collum shifter linkage down to the fire wall there will be a switch that looks like this - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-Ford-1971-neutral-safety-switch-D1AA15520-BA-/320587203131?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4aa47c823b
The shifter is connected directly to this.
it can be repaired.
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1973 Q code sports roof
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kenneth
Senior Member Joined: 19-May-2006 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 1373 |
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I must confess that the adjustment to the top collum switch (key switch) that bmf is referring too should be looked at as well but it is not the immediate cause of the problem you had.
The holes for this are deliberately elongated for this adjustment.
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1973 Q code sports roof
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kenneth
Senior Member Joined: 19-May-2006 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 1373 |
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Actual unit mounted to your collum with plenty of pictures -- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Ford-Torino-Ranchero-Neutral-Safety-Switch-/280626594703?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AFord%7CYear%3A1972&hash=item4156a6038f
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1973 Q code sports roof
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kenneth
Senior Member Joined: 19-May-2006 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 1373 |
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This is the other switch on top of the collum that may need some adjustment (and I stress "MAY" but am certain its the bottom one) after the neutral one is attended too.
Gauge cluster out to find it. Picture doesn't show it as it sits/rests on the collum so look for bulk wires going to this item -- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-Ford-Mustang-T-Bird-Torino-Ignition-Switch-72-76-/350404520159?_trksid=p4506.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D683869727598478534
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1973 Q code sports roof
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bmf
Member Joined: 06-February-2011 Location: Chico Ca Status: Offline Points: 101 |
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I don't mean to bust a bubble here but I believe CMD1 to be correct in his reference. Follow the collum shifter linkage down to the fire wall there will be a switch that looks like this - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-Ford-1971-neutral-safety-switch-D1AA15520-BA-/320587203131?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4aa47c823b The shifter is connected directly to this. This is a 71. I have a pair of early 72's and this part is not there. A ford manual stated they were discontinued in '70. The one for 72 on ebay i believe is incorrect. Chiltons repair manuel states " 1972 and later column shift------1972 and later models which are equipped with a column mounted shift lever are not equipped with neutral start switch. Instead, an ignition lock cylinder -to-shift lever interlock prevents these models from being started in any gear other than Park and Neutral. " The ebay ignition switch is correct. Regards, Ray
Edited by bmf - 16-June-2011 at 6:52AM |
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"I am completely broke and have the ability to sustain that"
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ankarback
Member Joined: 31-October-2010 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 69 |
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Seems like it could be either one then?? I'm going to check it out this weekend.
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Ford Gran Torino -72 4dr 390 C6 9"
Ford Bronco -91 Silver Anniversary |
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kenneth
Senior Member Joined: 19-May-2006 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 1373 |
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Shoot for the “neutral” switch at the bottom of the column first (by your feet against the firewall), You will know very quickly if you have one or not, you will passably need a torch and will need to tuck your head right down at the base of the column, it is easily visible once above is done with no removal of dash parts etc. From memory there are two nuts and an electrical connection to remove. Both my 74 and 73 Torino’s had one so I can’t understand that they were “discontinued”, add to that in both my factory Torino service manuals (for 73 and 74) it is mentioned, unless you have an aftermarket B&M shifter and it’s been removed or “T” shift (on the tranny hump), in the “T” shift case it’s on the “T” shifter somewhere I believe. I am totally unclear with 4 speeds, but suspect you have to be in either reverse or 1st gear to remove the key from the ignition to insure the “park” is engaged ( to insure the car doesn’t roll when parked). The second switch running from the key switch (top of column behind dash) is a little harder to get at, just note the main resistance you will have is the Speedo cable connection, from memory you need to squeeze this to remove, outside of that the rest is straight forward. With 27 years as a locksmith I am still learning, so please let me know for future reference. |
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1973 Q code sports roof
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kenneth
Senior Member Joined: 19-May-2006 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 1373 |
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Just another thought – An indication that the neutral switch is giving problems is that your reversing lights are on while in “D” (drive) or you turn the ignition on and your reversing lights are going without being in reverse (while in “P” park). Ask someone to stand behind the car (but not too close lol) be sure you have your foot on the break and start the car, ask the person behind the car to tell you when your reversing lights come on as you shift the gears. I am sure it will surprise you. |
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1973 Q code sports roof
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bmf
Member Joined: 06-February-2011 Location: Chico Ca Status: Offline Points: 101 |
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For kenneth
On the 4speeds the switch is in the T shifter. Some others were on the transmission (I have not personally seen one). Here is a link that you might find interesting. The switch is located on the column near the firewall. When I tried to post them I only had red x's. Edited by bmf - 17-June-2011 at 10:39AM |
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"I am completely broke and have the ability to sustain that"
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kenneth
Senior Member Joined: 19-May-2006 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 1373 |
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Sorry Ray the Kodak link keeps coming up "session has expired".
I too have problems with posting photos here but there is a thread on how to do it by using Photoshop, I still can not use Photoshop (I think its me being the problem) but end up loading to my Facebook then cut and paste from there. I think the primary problem is they need to be resized and in a certain formate.
If you are interested in emailing them to me my email is - farken@slingshot.co.nz
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1973 Q code sports roof
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