Neutral saftey switch?

[jlohmann]

I have the 5 speed trans in my 87 ranger 2.0L. Under the dash, attached to the clutch pedal there is a little white box. Connected to the box there are two wires... both red w/ white stripe. There is another small connector that has two wires, both purple w/ white stripe. It is currently disconnected and I was wondering if it connects to the little white box? Which I am guessing is the neutral safety switch?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[shadetree]

A neutral saftey switch is used on an auto trans. On the manual it is called a clutch interlock switch. The auto trans ties into the computer, and the manual doesn't. It's probably for auto equipped trucks. If you are having no problems, I wouldn't worry about it.shady

 

[jlohmann]

Thank you for clearing that up for me. I'm thinking the little connector with the purple wires may be for the parking brake switch. I couldn't find a place to plug it in and didn't really have time to look real hard.

I only ask because I can't get the little 2.0L engine to start. I have tried EVERYTHING I know to get it running. Rebuilt the carb and replaced nearly every component of the ignition system... still nothing! At this point it has to be some stupid little connection. I saw an unplugged connection and was wondering what it was and where it went. (and praying it was the solution!)

Thanks,
Joe

 

[shadetree]

If the clutch interlock is not working, you will not be able to turn the engine over. It supplies voltage to the starter relay on the fender.

Have you checked the engine to see if it is getting spark? Pull a plug, ground it to the engine. Spin the engine over and you should see the spark jump across the plug.

If it has fire to the ignition system, spray some starting fluid into the carb and see if it starts.shady

 

[jlohmann]

I've checked for spark and it seems to be sufficient. When I had the distributor out, I was having problems re-inserting it, so I cranked the engine over by hand to TDC. While I was doing this, I could hear either vacuum or compression escaping. It was coming from the bottom end and was easier to hear with the dist. out. I tested the compression today and the worst cylinder read 125psi... so all is good with the rings at least.

The carb rebuild kit I bought did not have a little ruler with it to measure the the float, so I just left it alone. I'm thinking that not enough fuel is being allowed to enter the float bowl. That's a possibility. But to your point about starting fluid, it won't even fire off with a good healthy blast. So it still could be the ignition. I'll keep pluging away at it. The ignition is pretty straight forward, but this was my first time rebuilding an Aisan carb. (only done quadrajets in the past) It's possible I missed something with the carb.

Thanks for your help,
Joe