1985 Bronco II no crank issue

[CyberCholo]

Hello I recently bought a Bronco II 3 speed plus OD automatic to use as a winter beater to save my current baby my 1981 Mazda 626 coupe from the salt and I needed a vehicle to use for the move into my first place.

The truck is pretty ugly paint wise by mechanically is quite sound, ive been commuting a half an hour each way since around the end of October in it.

Yesterday morning I went to start the truck and just nothing, I had this happen once before and I jiggled the shifter and it fired right up, so I figured neutral safety switch, online said unplugging it will bypass it but no luck.

Jumped the solenoid and the truck fired up no problem, so I figured it was the solenoid, replaced that nothing.

So I decided to drive my Mazda in the mean time except it decided to blow the head gasket today so I need to get the Bronco fixed by Monday so I can get to work. I can still start the truck by jumping it under the hood but I dont want to rely on that.

My next guess was the ignition switch in the column, or perhaps unplugging the neutral safety switch isnt a bypass for it? Anyone got any ideas?

 

[adsm08]

Ok, unplugging the neutral safety switch doesn't bypass it. It opens the circuit, just like not having it in P or N.

Plug everything back in, put the trans in N, and see if it will crank then.

You can also test the switch directly with an ohm meter. If it reads open with the trans in park then the switch is bad.

From your description I think that is your problem, and you got lucky the first time.

 

[CyberCholo]

Ok, unplugging the neutral safety switch doesn't bypass it. It opens the circuit, just like not having it in P or N.

Plug everything back in, put the trans in N, and see if it will crank then.

You can also test the switch directly with an ohm meter. If it reads open with the trans in park then the switch is bad.

From your description I think that is your problem, and you got lucky the first time.

Yeah I thought unplugging it would do that.

Which contacts would I have to test on the switch? It has like 4 or 5 I think.

Its in a super awkward spot to get at with the exhaust in the way and such. Also to replace the switch im guessing it just screws into the side of the tranny?

Thanks!

 

[CyberCholo]

Fixed the problem it was the solenoid plugged the switch back in and it fired right up thank you so much for your help