Neutral starting question

[snax1969]

Hi folks.  First time posting here.  Recently bought a '76 truck.  The starter will only engage when the truck is in park.  I have stalled a few times and tried to start her up in neutral but turning the key has no effect.  I have to pull over and put it in park and then turn the key.

Is this a bad neutral safety switch or is it possible the NSS just isnt even hooked up?

any help would be appreciated.

Big E

[zieg85]

It could be bad, most likely it is however it may be slightly out of adjustment.  Might crank between R and neutral or drive and neutral

[Jason S]

It could be bad, most likely it is however it may be slightly out of adjustment.  Might crank between R and neutral or drive and neutral

Ditto. I'd say the NSS is out of adjustment.

[snax1969]

Thanks, I'll try to play around with that.  Is it easy to adjust?

[VileZambonie]

Before you adjust anything check your shift linkage and ensure everything is tight.

[hondarider188]

I have the same issue on my truck so would anyone mind elaborating on what the NSS is, where and how to adjust it. thanks

[VileZambonie]

The Park Neutral switch on automatic columns ensures no signal voltage makes it to the starter solenoid unless the shifter in in P or N. Do not adjust it if there is slop in your shift linkage. Fix the sloppy shift linkage first. If everything is good the switch is located near the base of the column.

[75gmck25]

I had similar problems with my '75  because the shifter linkage went out of adjustment as the cab bushings worn out and the cab settled lower.  However, when I replaced the worn rubber cab supports I fixed this problem (raising the cab brought the linkage back into alignment). 

New cab bushings also quieted the truck down considerably because my transmission tunnel was no longer sitting on top of my transfer case and transmitting noise.  The first time I started it up after replacing the cab bushings I though there was a problem with the engine because the cab was so much quieter.

Bruce