Ford Granada

1978 Ford Granada Drive Train / Driveline Malfunction When starting 

1978 ford automatic transmission C4. will not start.
OK battery, starting solenoid, and starter. Must be
neutral start switch bad or needs adjustment. Can't find the switch. Looked on drivers side of transmisson
and see linkage into transmission. No switch. under the linkage just two large bolt heads with rubber gasket around a plate. Please advise how to adjust switch
with column shift in neutral.
Thanks!

Hello, Usually a rear wheel drive car has the Neutral Start Switch saddled/located on top of the steering column housing under the dash. Sort of a half-moon shape and is actuated when the shift lever is moved. It will be bolted on and of course have an electrical connector.

With the key ON and the trans in PARK can you jump the solenoid to engage the starter and will the car start? Have you checked for ignition switched voltage on the "S" wire that connects to the starter solenoid when the key is in the START position?

Roger

With the key ON and the trans in PARK can you jump the solenoid to engage the starter and will the car start?
NO

Have you checked for ignition switched voltage on the "S" wire that connects to the starter solenoid when the key is in the START position? YES THERE IS VOLTAGE

Okay, If voltage arrives at the "S" wire with the key in the START position you do not likely have a neutral start switch issue. To prove this, put the gearshift in any gear and test again. There should be no voltage. Try neutral. You should have voltage.

Your starter solenoid is suspect if you are confident the battery cables connections are clean and tight so that the amps needed can get to the starter. The solenoid should energize with the 12 volts switched "hot" through the "S" wire when the key is in START.

Roger

Roger

"Okay, If voltage arrives at the "S" wire with the key in the START position you do not likely have a neutral start switch issue. To prove this, put the gearshift in any gear and test again. There should be no voltage. Try neutral. You should have voltage.

YES, the neutral start switch issue is OK. Only voltage at Park and Neutral at the S wire.

Your starter solenoid is suspect if you are confident the battery cables connections are clean and tight so that the amps needed can get to the starter. The solenoid should energize with the 12 volts switched "hot" through the "S" wire when the key is in START.

Yes, but I jumped the solenoid; with a heavy wire from the + on the battery to the side of solenoid
with the cable direct to the starter; and the starter did not turn over. The starter is near new and so is the solenoid. All cables are tight and clean. I have heard the solenoid "click" so it seems to be working.

The solenoid when energized by voltage from the ignition switch at the "S" terminal should output battery voltage and amps to the starter by means of the cable between the solenoid and the starter.

When you hold the key in the start position and you hear the solenoid click, what voltage do you read is being output on the starter side of the solenoid? (no jumpers, just OEM connections)

If battery voltage is sent to the starter, then while some one holds the key in the START position, rap the side of the starter motor with a hammer and see if it comes alive. If it does, there could be a stuck brush contact or the armature may be in a bind.

Roger