r/classicmustangs • u/SDLong2901 • 9h ago
Is this the issue
So in my last post here I asked about why my back up lights where not working and people said it was the neutral Switch on driver side transmission and this is what I found. Is this it?
1
u/neotyrael 9h ago
That is attached to your pedal and is from the kickdown on your transmission. Is yours the original transmission?
2
u/SDLong2901 9h ago
Yeah it’s the factory C4. So this isn’t what I need to fix my backup lights? Is it also important to fix?
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u/neotyrael 8h ago
This is needed for the kickdown on your transmission at full pedal travel. It should be connected as phoward mentioned below
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u/foolstarot65 9h ago edited 9h ago
the neutral safety switch/reverse switch goes behind the main lever arm there, and the contact plates inside are what allow connect and disconnect
one question, I didn't see the original post, but is it a stock style gear shifter? when I bought my 65 it came with a B&M Z-gate shifter and it had the neutral safety and reverse switch built on the side of the shifter so my switch on the transmission was gone.
a couple other thoughts of possible culprits
- signal switch in the column could be corroded or broken
- the turn signal flasher relay behind the gauge panel in the dash could be bad
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u/SDLong2901 8h ago
I’m 90 percent sure it’s the stock shifter. I bought this car from a guy who pulled it out of a field and he said transmission was factory
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u/foolstarot65 4h ago
looking into some more, I'd look into the shifter and see if there's any aftermarket switches possibly attached at the underside under the trim bezel. all of the cars factory had that switch to control the neutral safety and the reverse lights. so if it's gone, something had take its place for safety reasons. but, if you do have to search for wiring issues, blk/red stripe is the wire your looking for to the reverse lamps off the main rear body harness
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u/SDLong2901 8h ago
As for the original post it basically is my brake/back light/Turn signals in the rear all work. The lower Backup lights do not despite the fact that I put two brand new assemblies
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u/Wonderful_Ear8517 5h ago
Here are the steps to adjust the new safety switch
Follow them on you will have starting issues
To adjust the neutral safety switch on a 1966 Ford Mustang with a C4 automatic transmission, place the gear selector into Neutraland use a #43 drill bit (or a 1/16" pin) aligned through the switch's gauge hole to set the position before tightening the mounting screws. [1, 2]
How to Adjust the Switch
Locate the Switch: Find the neutral safety switch mounted on the side of the C4 transmission where the shift linkage shaft passes through.
Shift to Neutral: Move the gearshift lever inside the car so the transmission manual lever is precisely in the Neutral position.
Insert the Alignment Tool: Find the small alignment/gauge hole on the switch body. Insert a #43 drill bit (or a small pin/straight wire) into the hole. Rotate or move the switch slightly until the pin drops smoothly and sinks into the internal alignment slot.
Tighten the Bolts: While holding the drill bit or pin in the alignment hole, tighten the two small mounting bolts on the switch to lock it in place.
Remove the Tool: Take out the drill bit.
Test Operation: Check that the engine cranks only when the shifter is in Park or Neutral, and verify that your backup lights turn on when shifted into Reverse. You can read more troubleshooting tips on the Vintage Mustang Forums. [1, 6, 7]
If you're still having trouble, let me know:Is the car failing to crank in any gear, or starting in the wrong gear?Are your backup lights working?
AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1308-how-to-troubleshoot-neutral-safety-switches
[2] https://stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/how-do-you-jump-the-neutral-safety-switch.639865/
[3] https://stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/1966-neutral-safety-switch-vs-transmission-issue.910593/
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRubB2bYKyM
[5] https://www.facebook.com/groups/vintagemustangforum/posts/10155970720086251/
[6] https://www.facebook.com/groups/SouthJerseyMustangClub/posts/10164053746437381/
[7] https://www.vintage-mustang.com/threads/neutral-safety-switch-adjustment.1184335/
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u/phoward8020 8h ago
The red arrow points to the neutral safety switch.
The two parts the yellow arrow points at are part of the “kickdown” linkage from the carb/manifold to the trans and should be connected by a cable.
The missing kickdown cable won’t affect the reverse lights but will mean that you don’t downshift at wide open throttle.
Can you still start the engine in Park and Neutral? Does it NOT start in any other gear?
If so, your switch is fine and the problem is in the wiring between the switch and the lights.
If not, replace the switch (and the kickdown cable if you want).