Neutral Saftey?

[351wStang]

I have a 1990 F-150 5.0/5spd. When I push the clutch in and turn the key nothing happens. The motor doesnt even try to turn over. Just like I have the battery unhooked. But, my battery is good, and I can start the truck if I cross over the solenoid. I tryed replacing the solenoid, but that didnt fix anything. I'm gonna put the ignition switch out of my dads truck (1991 F-150 5.0/auto) in tomarrow and see if that helps any, but I doubt it will. With a maunual trans is the neutral saftey switch under the dash on the clutch pedal? I was told that there was a teflon bushing on the shaft holding the clutch and brake pedal that I can try replacing, something about if the bushing is worn then it wont trigger the neutral saftey. Any help would be appreciated.

[StangNut86]

you can reset the clutch safety switch so that it will activate with a screwed up pedal throw. look under the dash, to where the clutch pedal mounts. there's a gray box with a white rod on it. on the white rod is a square box-lookign fixture. you have to push that up on the white rod so it's closer to the switch. then simply push the clutch pedal all the way in and it will be reset. if this doesn't work, it's some sort of electrical problem. i'd also check the starter relay... what you do is put a screwdriver's shaft on the positive battery cable terminal on the relay, and touch the negative terminal with the other end, to make a connection. if it cranks, replace the relay, other wise it's a problem with the circuit itself, which is a masive pain in the ass. i had to bypass the clutch switch to make mine work before i took it apart...


so yeah, good luck.

[351wStang]

Well I have been having to cross the solenoid over all week like you where talking about with a screwdriver. I have replaced it and still no crank unless I pop the hood and cross it over. I'll try your suggestion with the pedal though, Thanks. O and by the way, how did you bypass this switch? If your previous suggestion doesnt work then I may try to just bypass it. Thanks again.

[StangNut86]

find a wiring diagram and figure out what color wire does what. on mine i was fortunate and just crossed two redundant wires which were the appropriate colors, and then the car fired right up. it was the ultimate hackjob tho. doesn't matter anymore, that wiring harness is all cut up. anyway in my case it was a white/pink wire from the ECU that needed to find a red/blue wire to the relay. i found two redundant ones, tested one which lit durning key-to-start, and crossed 'em. after that i didn't need to press the clutch to start it.

ultimately it's just a matter of getting a test light and finding out where the circuit goes dead.

[351wStang]

I just asked my boss this morning how to bypass the clutch switch. He said I needed to find the wire going to the switch and cross it with a wire that goes hot in the key on position. So now I just need to poke around with the test light and or find a wiring diagram. Anyone know where I might find a wiring diagram for the clutch switch of a 1990 F-150 5.0 2wd?

[StangNut86]

hmm.... that's a little iffy... i'd go to a ford dealer and see if they'd make a copy of the diagram... you can get a decent one in a chilton's or hayes (sp?) manual tho.