issue in steering colum

[paleone]

My 69 automatic runs and starts most of the time, however sometimes it will do nothing when I turn the key.
My temporary solution to this was to jump the starter selinoid with a screwdriver.
Last week when I was at the mufler shop gettin dueled: the guy there told me it was a common problem
and all i had to do was to pull or push on the colum shift, shure enough it worked. now I notice sometimes
it will start, but none of the guages, lights or radio works, then i have turn it off and start again until all is working again.
Anyone ever encounter thisand maybe solve it?

[FORDification]

Sounds like you're dealing with two separate issues. The first problem is caused from a mis-adjusted neutral safety switch, and the second (the gauges not working) could be a bad ignition switch.

The neutral safety switch (NSS) is located inside the cab at the base of the steering column. This is what allows the truck to only start in Park or Neutral:



It's attached to the steering column housing with two screws. Inside the steering column housing is the shift tube, which has the shifter lever attached to it. The housing has a hole on the top of it, through which protrudes a small steel clip, which extends upwards to contact the plastic nub on the front of the NSS.



When you move the shift lever, the steel clip moves also, which in turn moves the plastic nub on the NSS, which either completes a circuit and allows you to start the engine, or breaks the circuit preventing the start. Over time, the NSS might move a little bit, so a slight adjustment might be needed.

To adjust it, you simply loosen the two screws and slide it sideways one way or the other, and then tighten it back down. Then see how/if it starts. It'll probably take a little fiddling to find the sweet spot that only allows the engine to start in Park and Neutral, but not Reverse or Drive. There's actually a specific method outlined in the Shop Manual on proper adjustment, I'll scan and post that later this evening, unless someone beats me to it.

As for the gauges, I'm betting that the ignition switch is wearing out, which is actually pretty common on these trucks after 40 years or so. The next time you notice this happening, reach down and try wiggling the switch, and wiggling the wiring harness connection at the back of the switch (up under the dash) and see if the gauges suddenly start working. My guess is they will, and if so, you'll need to determine whether the wiring harness connector is bad or the switch itself. I'd bet on the worn switch.

[fordman]

the nss being missing or out of adjustment is a common problem. but to loose power to that other stuff almost sounds liek a bad ignition switch. try and adjust your nss and see what happens. it wont cost you anything to do it.