Nuetral Safety Switch?

Tiny
RHINO99
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 FORD BRONCO
  • 5.8L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 122,000 MILES
The neutral safety switch for my C6 transmission and no overdrive is apparently discontinued and more rare than a unicorn. I have called all over the country trying to find the part with no luck. Every specialty parts dealer, local Ford shops, online sellers, junkyards have all come up empty.
Do I have to bypass the switch somehow? My pigtail on the wiring harness has six connectors, everything I have found has four.

Please help. $15,000.00 totally restored Bronco dead in my drive way, due to a $80.00 part that takes five minutes to fix!
Monday, September 19th, 2016 AT 3:07 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If I am not mistaken a Bronco is the same as a pickup for parts mostly. I looked on rock auto and found this, its a Motorcraft part and looks to be a replacement with an adapter. I am sure there will be instructions with it.
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Monday, September 19th, 2016 AT 3:55 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Here are few choices.

Looks like several different styles

See my link

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1989,bronco,5.8l+351cid+v8,1105951,electrical-switch+&+relay,neutral+safety+switch+/+range+sensor,4584?a=Referer+www.google.com+URL+%2F

Return with good news!

The Medic
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Monday, September 19th, 2016 AT 4:15 PM
Tiny
RHINO99
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
My connection end is round. I checked the rock auto site.

At least the one pictures will accept six wires.

But I would have to cut the 'male' connector and try to get the wires to marry to this switch.
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Monday, September 19th, 2016 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
That is why they have the adapters. According to wire diagram is because a C6 is not the standard transmission it shows E40d as transmission and from what I can see it only takes red wire and black/white wire for other than E40D.
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Tuesday, September 20th, 2016 AT 6:13 AM
Tiny
RHINO99
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you for the replies and help!

So you are suggesting to splice the wires into the adapter. The next problem would be that the wiring harness (female) that comes off of the solenoid is likely going to be several inches short of reaching this adapter without the mail pigtail.
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Tuesday, September 20th, 2016 AT 6:32 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Then you will have to splice in longer wires so it can fit. But this truck is supposed to have a E40d not a C6.
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Tuesday, September 20th, 2016 AT 7:09 AM
Tiny
RENEE L
  • ADMIN
  • 1,260 POSTS
Nice work HMAC300 and CJ Medevac. RHINO99, thank you for visiting 2CarPros if you have any further questions or concerns please return the site as we are here to help.

Have a great rest of your day!

Renee
Admin
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Tuesday, September 20th, 2016 AT 2:59 PM
Tiny
WYATT BLOK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1987 FORD BRONCO
  • 2.9L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
My vehicle is not starting. I have a new battery new starter and new terminal connections, but when I try to start it it clicks once then nothing. I am almost positive it is the neutral safety switch, but I cannot find it so I need to find where it is and hopefully find a way to bypass it until I get a replacement.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,193 POSTS
What is clicking, or how loud is that click? Feel if it is coming from the starter relay on the inner fender, near the battery, while a helper turns the ignition switch to "crank". If that is what you are hearing, tighten the two soft copper nuts on the two larger studs.

To bypass the neutral safety switch, unplug the red/blue wire from the starter relay. Momentarily connect a jumper wire from that stud on the relay to the battery's positive post. Be sure the transmission is in "park" when you do that.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Not sure where yours has gone but this picture is what the neutral switch is supposed to look like.

https://www.2carpros.com/images/external/42293559_1.gif
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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That's what I thought, but Rock Auto shows a screwed-in switch at the rear of the transmission. I was confused because the switch can't just fall off.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
I believe the screw in would be for a manual trans.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
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Probably a back up light switch
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
I just looked again and that picture is for the C5 trans.

There optional trans didn't have a picture but here are the instructions that sound a lot like what you're describing Doc.

A4LD UNITS

Disconnect battery ground cable(s).
Disconnect neutral start switch electrical harness from switch.
Using a suitable tool, remove neutral start switch and O-ring.
Install new switch and O-ring.
Torque switch to 7---10 ft. Lbs.
Connect neutral start switch electrical harness on to switch.
Connect battery ground cable(s) and check switch operation.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)

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