neutral safety switch

[69f-100]

i have a 69 f100 ranger 2wd with a automatic trans. can someone please explain to me how the nss works. i found it at the bottom of my steering column on the top side. when i move the gear selector the switch doesnt move or do anything. i cant figure out why. the shift tube moves ok because i can feel it move. is something broken? if so how do i fix it? thanks-Ryan

[FORDification]

There should be a clip-on tab which snaps onto the shift tube via a hole in the column housing, just in front of the NSS. It's this tab that moves with the shift tube when you move the gear selector lever and actuates the black plastic arm that protrudes from the NSS. These clip-on tabs are often broken and/or missing. Check to make sure yours is intact.

[69f-100]

i'm pretty sure mine is missing or broken. do you know where i might be able to find one?

[fordman]

probably form one of the vendors. you can find them on the links page.

[69f-100]

i'm sorry i'm pretty new here and am still learning and trying to find everything. can you point me in the right direction to find where the vendors are and which one would have it. i have a lmc truck and npd magazine but cant find them in those. maybe someone has bought them from one of the vendors on here and can tell me which one it was. thanks again-Ryan

[FORDification]

Lever, Transmission Control Selector, Neutral - D0TZ-7B097-A

You can get one at http://www.dennis-carpenter.com/ for about $12.

The link for the 'Links' page, which lists all the major parts vendors, is up at the top of the page in the light-blue navigation bar. I usually recommend getting catalogs from at least the first seven vendors on that page, since you'll then have access to almost everything you'll need when working on your truck.

[69f-100]

thanks a bunch man i really appreciate it.

[pltmgr]

I tried replacing mine with the steering column still in the truck but was unsuccessful. Its held in place by spring tension and was too hard to reach.

[fordman]

you have to put the transmission in low to replace the switch. that way the tang will be all the way over and the spring inside the switch will barely need to be compressed.

[69f-100]

so you dont have to take the column appart correct?

[Calfdemon]

No, you can use a flathead screwdriver and get in there to pop it off... Using a small mirror in the other hand helps too so you can see what you are doing. I replaced it on mine (twice... dont ask). So it can be done, just a little bit of work and a few choice swear words and you should get the broken one to pop off. Putting the new one on is the easy part.

[fordman]

the part that can pop out is the tang the contacts the nss. the nss has two 5/16 headed screws that hold it to the column.

[69f-100]

so i take it you take the nss off and then put it i L1 then i can put the new tang on correct?

[fordman]

yes it should work just fine doing it that way to put a new tang in.

[69f-100]

thanks guys i got it on, but i dont think the nss works. it still starts when you put it in gear. also does the reverse lights work off of that switch to?