Clutch Safety Switch

[helpme]

What year did Ford start putting a clutch safety switch on Rangers? Thanks.

 

[RobbieD]

I don't know for sure, but I would guess, or even bet, that this was the norm from the first ones in '83.

 

[helpme]

Thanks. OK. Here's what happened.
Clutch master went out and I had it towed to a "profesional" tranny shop. They replaced the clutch master but when I got it back, I noticed it would start up without the clutch being depressed. Odd???
I figured they put in the wrong part from an old ranger that did not have that feature. The shop's manager said they order replacement parts by VIN.
Another problem is the pedal is very stiff. Seems to be shifting between gears OK. I tried lubricating the rod with WD40 but not much help. You don't suppose they put ATF fluid in there instead of brake fluid.
This shop was top notch say 10 years ago but they have had an ownership change and I have seen some negative reviews in recent posts.
So, how does that clutch interlock feature work? I noticed there is a module that free floats on the pedal rod. Thanks.

 

[SenorNoob]

IDK about the stiff pedal, but you did describe the clutch safety switch. It looks like this:

 

[helpme]

My switch module floats freely on the rod. There is supposed to be an orientation clip on the end of the clutch master that clips into the switch that is not there. Looks like maybe it never had one. Thats why I think this clutch master is for another vehicle.

 

[helpme]

Checking around it looks like the 95 clutch master has the orientation clip on it.

 

[helpme]

Are the V6 clutch components different from the 4 cylinder ones? A friend has a 4 and the clutch master is different than mine.

 

[19Walt93]

Clutch safety switches were first installed by Ford in about 1984. We got a load of F150's and one on the top of the car carrier wouldn't start. I had to climb up the side of the trailer, get into the truck and stand on my head to plug the switch in so the car carrier driver could get it off his trailer. I didn't realise that they can't see the ramps in front of them when they drive off those things.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

IDK about the stiff pedal, but you did describe the clutch safety switch. It looks like this:

That switch started in '88, earlier ones were not floating on the rod like that.

I keep the shunt from my truck's automatic days in the glovebox in case the switch acts up.

 

[helpme]

It seems that the clutch master is from a 4 cylinder. A friend has a 94 4 cylinder and his clutch master does not have the spring clip on it. SO, the 4 cylinders are different than the 6 cylinders clutch masters. That might explain the stiff pedal also. I went back to the tranny shop and they stonewalled me. I explained that that feature is an NHTSA safety mandate and it needs to be restored.