problem starting

[1970f100x]

Ok, so i was going to the gas station to pump some gas, and turned off the truck. then after I was done I went to start it and nothing. The radio worked, but it wouldn't start. So I thought it was bad connection, so i looked under the hood and tightened the neg. battery terminal. Then nothing, so I proceeded to roll the truck to a parking space, but then I tried to start it and it fired right up. Also, this has happened before..usually if I leave it sitting for a while, or after it rains sometimes..I changed the neg. battery cable, but it didn't do much. What do you all think?

[fordman]

bad switch maybe. or just a loose or bad connection inthe system. wiggle the switch next time it happens.

[1970f100x]

bad switch maybe. or just a loose or bad connection inthe system. wiggle the switch next time it happens.

what switch?

[ToughOldFord]

If it's an automatic it could be the neutral safety switch. Next time it does it wiggle the shifter while you hold the key in the start position. If no go then move the selector from park to neutral and try it again. They get cranky with age sometimes.

If it's a manual, disregard.

[GSequoia]

I agree with Tough about the NSS if an auto.

Another option would be the starter solenoid on the firewall (Behind the battery). Try giving it a good tap if this happens again and it's not an NSS issue.

Reminds me that I need to adjust my NSS, had it complain at me a few weeks ago (of course when teh wife was in the truck with me...)

[1970f100x]

If it's an automatic it could be the neutral safety switch. Next time it does it wiggle the shifter while you hold the key in the start position. If no go then move the selector from park to neutral and try it again. They get cranky with age sometimes.

If it's a manual, disregard.

yeah! thats right, it was in neutral when it started up again. Tell me about this safety switch.

[BobbyFord]

The switch may just need to be adjusted. Located on the top side of the steering column down about 4 inches up from the firewall. Set the parking brake, make sure it's in park, loosen the two screws holding the switch and with the key in the start position slide the switch sideways until the engine cranks, tighten the screws.

[fordman]

i was speaking o0 fthe ignition switch but i didnt consider the nss. bobby has that procedure down for you.

[1970f100x]

The switch may just need to be adjusted. Located on the top side of the steering column down about 4 inches up from the firewall. Set the parking brake, make sure it's in park, loosen the two screws holding the switch and with the key in the start position slide the switch sideways until the engine cranks, tighten the screws.

could u show me a picture of it?

[BobbyFord]

Ask and Ye shall receive...

[fordman]

do you see the reqtangluar hole at the bottom of this column? in the bottom pic. that is where the nss sits on the column. and heres a picture of a switch on top of the column. i stole this from anohte thread. clcik to see the whole pic.

[BobbyFord]

do you see the reqtangluar hole at the bottom of this column? in the bottom pic. that is where the nss sits on the column. and heres a picture of a switch on top of the column. i stole this from anohte thread. clcik to see the whole pic.

Man that's some scary electrical b'sketti right there. Complete with tin foil fuses...

[1970f100x]

I don't think i have that switch.

[fordman]

automatic trucks had this switch from the factory. if yours never had an autoamtic transmission yo uwouldnt have that switch. ifit was swapped in it could be that they bypassed using the switch or they made newer transmissions with the nss switch on the side of the transmission shift lever. if you have a manual truck that switch isnt need for a manual truck.

[1970f100x]

I have an automatic, with the column just like the picture above, i just think i don't have the nss