Starts in Neutral, but not park. Any adjustments?

GoodysGotaCuda · Nov 11, 2008

Our '68 289 car will start if you wiggle around Neutral, no cranking in park, is there an adjustment for the neutral safety switch? Or is this just the tale-tale sign of a bad neutral safety switch on these cars?

Thanks!

Tim65GT · Nov 11, 2008

bad neutral safety sw

GoodysGotaCuda · Nov 11, 2008

Tim65GT said:
bad neutral safety sw

Is there anyway to bypass it for the time being? The car is just being moved around for awhile and I plan to go through the trans all at one time.

Thanks-

NasaGT · Nov 12, 2008

Hi GoodysGotaCuda - I've read a ton of posts by you over on cuda-challenger.com when doing searches, you've been an immense help to me over there.

Its been a while, but if I recall correctly the Mustang neutral safety switch has a four wire connector, two wires are for the reverse lights, two wires are for park/neutral. if you jumper the correct wires you can do what you want. I don't recall which wires are what however, you can always quickly experiment.

Maybe someone will chime in and verify this.

jikelly · Nov 12, 2008

I this an auto or stick?

NasaGT · Nov 12, 2008

jikelly said:
I this an auto or stick?

Uh, where do you find Park on a stick?

jikelly · Nov 12, 2008

NasaGT said:
Uh, where do you find Park on a stick?

Ok, on my 73 there were adjustments to be had that affected the car starting in neutral and park. (I got it to start in Drive on accident )

I had to get under the car and adjust the linkage on/at the switch. It's been years since I did that. Can anyone fill in the big holes I'm leaving here?

woodsnake · Nov 12, 2008

There are also two bushings at the "base" of the shifter, where it connects to the linkage. That will queer the program also, if those are worn out....
Also, there is an adjustment, it requires lining up both halves of the neutral safety switch, and I think a #43 drill bit. Lightly loosen the two bolts that hold the switch on the side of the trans, and when the bit goes thru all three alignment holes, you have it nailed...This procedure is covered in the Factory manual, if you have one....
If not, they are money well spent...

Rusty67 · Nov 12, 2008

GoodysGotaCuda said:
Is there anyway to bypass it for the time being? The car is just being moved around for awhile and I plan to go through the trans all at one time.

Thanks-

I think the neutral safety switch can be replaced with the trans still in the car and in place. It just bolts onto the side of the trans if I'm not mistaken.

Whats wrong with just starting it in neutral every time ? If its not going to be like that forever it seems like its only a minor inconvenience.

You can bypass it by shorting the circuit. Just follow the 4 wires back to where they unplug from the main harness and test the pairs to figure out which 2 are for reverse and which 2 are for the neutral safety. Just short the pair that ISN'T for reverse.

GoodysGotaCuda · Nov 14, 2008

Thanks guys, played with the multimeter for a minute or two and figured out which wires to connect. Just hollowed out the dead end in a tap splice and put it between the wires. Works like a charm.

GoodysGotaCuda · Nov 14, 2008

NasaGT said:
Hi GoodysGotaCuda - I've read a ton of posts by you over on cuda-challenger.com when doing searches, you've been an immense help to me over there.

Its been a while, but if I recall correctly the Mustang neutral safety switch has a four wire connector, two wires are for the reverse lights, two wires are for park/neutral. if you jumper the correct wires you can do what you want. I don't recall which wires are what however, you can always quickly experiment.

Maybe someone will chime in and verify this.

Thanks, funny to see another Mopar guy hiding over here every now and then. This is the third Mustang I've messed with. But it seems my job is lined up back across the country and will have to let it go before the move. Gotta stick with the Barracuda

NasaGT · Nov 18, 2008

GoodysGotaCuda said:
Thanks, funny to see another Mopar guy hiding over here every now and then. This is the third Mustang I've messed with. But it seems my job is lined up back across the country and will have to let it go before the move. Gotta stick with the Barracuda

For the record, I'm a Mustang guy first, Mopar guy second.

Love your Barracuda by the way, I can only hope our Challenger is half as nice as yours when we're done with it.

Starts in Neutral, but not park. Any adjustments?

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Starts in Neutral, but not park. Any adjustments?

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