Clutch safety switch help

IDI_Journeyman · Mar 28, 2017

whats crackin oil burners? I'm in need of some ancient IDI wisdom again. I have a 1985 F250 with a 7.3 ATS turbo/ZF5. My clutch safety switch is going out and it's getting to the point where I have to put both feet on the clutch pedal to get my truck to turn over. Im having trouble finding it in the nest of wires under the dash. (Wires are my worst nightmare when I work on anything) I'd like to hook a dead man switch to it incase my key tumbler quits working one day. I also have to get my dash panel off to get to some other things and I'm wondering how people get the black headlight pulley off. Looks like The guy before me already broke the windshield wiper one, and I'm not the kind of person that likes to break **** while I'm working on it. Any info would be appreciated regarding these two subjects.Thanks!

79jasper · Mar 28, 2017

I bet your clutch pedal bushings are wearing out. Or the master cylinder rod eye bushing.
The clutch switch doesn't exactly wear out over time.
Pretty easy to find. Look at the rod coming through the firewall. Jump the two wires closest to the firewall. Should be red/blue.
The headlight and wiper knobs have a keeper you have to release. A oring pick would work well. Probably even a paperclip bent into a hook.

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IDIBRONCO · Mar 28, 2017

I've used a pocket knife blade or even a really small screwdriver before.

snicklas · Mar 28, 2017

It's an 85..... since he is saying he has to push it so far..... the firewall may be cracked........

79jasper · Mar 28, 2017

True.
I go for the easy stuff first. Lol

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IDI_Journeyman · Mar 28, 2017

I'm not sure if it makes a difference but the guy who put this engine in used to original 6.9 wiring harness....do 6.9s have clutch safety switches on the harness or is it just 7.3s? Cause I can't can't find this damn thing under my dash

79GLIDE · Mar 29, 2017

On my '90 two wheeler I mounted a momentary push button to the removable fuse panel inspection cover under the steering wheel. I did this as a quick fix after the typical Ford switch rod failure in the steering column. You're going to have to get out a test light. IIRC, the clutch switch is a release switch, not a depression switch, so search for it near the steering column, at the top of the clutch pedal arm travel. If you have a rat ball of wires under there, you may have a bigger wiring problem.

79jasper · Mar 29, 2017

Well also 85 never had the zf5.
Odds are it was a c6.
Push the clutch pedal by hand while you look up under the dash.
Just above the throttle pedal you will see the clutch rod. The switch will be on it.

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chillman88 · Mar 29, 2017

79jasper said:
Just above the throttle pedal you will see the clutch rod. The switch will be on it.

I was just going to post this. The location threw me off when I was looking for mine too.

towcat · Mar 29, 2017

hydraulic clutch trucks to 1986 has the neutral safety switch mounted on the pedal arm between the pedal and the kick panel.
if you have a swtch failure on the pedal arm, you can unplug the switch and insert an ATO type fuse as a bypass. replace the switch asap when you can.

IDI_Journeyman · Mar 29, 2017

So I went to go start my truck and for a second it kicked the starter on for about .3 seconds.....now it won't even try to crank. My buddy had me cut the wires going to the clutch safety switch and I taped them together. Still nothing. What is my problem now?

IDI_Journeyman · Mar 29, 2017

I think it might be my key tumbler. When I first got the truck at the beginning of the month it wouldn't like to crank the starter randomly, if I fiddled with it enough it would eventually start up. I have a feeling the tumbler just gave out on me finally, what do all of you think?

laserjock · Mar 29, 2017

You may just need to adjust your switch. It's down on the column.

79GLIDE · Mar 30, 2017

A test light to that clutch switch wire while you turn the key would be a good indicator of where to start looking for your problem. Power to clutch switch splice when you turn the key, key switch ok, and problem somewhere down stream, possibly relay or solenoid. No power to clutch splice when you turn the key, then you may be on the right track on a broken switch rod, or other switch side problem.

IDI_Journeyman · Mar 30, 2017

So I just got home and my friend told me to push the rod on top of the steering column that's driven by the Tumbler. I pushed it a little further than the tumbler could with a pair of pliers and it cranked over!!!! So I'm gonna go to napa tomorrow and get a new key tumbler and see if that fixes it, if not I'll move forward from there. Thanks everyone for your replies, this site is a lifesaver

Clutch safety switch help

IDI_Journeyman

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79jasper

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IDIBRONCO

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snicklas

6.0 and Loving It!!

79jasper

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IDI_Journeyman

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79jasper

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laserjock

Almost there...

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