C6 - She starts in any gear!

Discussion in 'General Ranchero Help' started by Unclebrad, Mar 9, 2016.

  1. Unclebrad

    Unclebrad In Fourth Gear SILVER MEMBER

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    I am sure this is covered somewhere, but I apparently haven't been using the right keywords.

    My '68 390GT has a C6 transmission with column shifter. But something somewhere must be worn out because it starts in any gear.

    Anyone know what I need to do to repair it?

    Thanks!
     
    andrewok1 likes this.
  2. andrewok1

    andrewok1 In Maximum Overdrive GOLD MEMBER SILVER MEMBER

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  3. Huevos

    Huevos In Maximum Overdrive

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    Shes' a Keeper...... OH, you mean the car?
     
  4. RANCHEROROB

    RANCHEROROB In Maximum Overdrive GOLD MEMBER

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    On a C6 the neutral switch is on steering column down by the brake pedal. It has 2 small screws with a 5/16 or 11/32 head holding it to column.
     
  5. Unclebrad

    Unclebrad In Fourth Gear SILVER MEMBER

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    So, does that mean that the part shown on the page andrewok 1 gave a link to, is NOT the one I need? (Looks to me like they are showing it being mounted to the side of the transmission)
     
  6. andrewok1

    andrewok1 In Maximum Overdrive GOLD MEMBER SILVER MEMBER

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  7. RANCHEROROB

    RANCHEROROB In Maximum Overdrive GOLD MEMBER

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    I have a 68 390 with a c6 and the switch is located on the column. The best thing to do is have a look at your car.
    If your car is like my 68 with switch located on the column then the one posted in the link is the wrong one.
     
  8. Unclebrad

    Unclebrad In Fourth Gear SILVER MEMBER

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    Hmmm. I went out to have a look. I am not seeing it on the column, but am still not quite certain that I am looking in exactly the right place.
    Here is a pic. Would it show here if it is a column mounted one?
    IMG_3617.JPG
     
  9. andrewok1

    andrewok1 In Maximum Overdrive GOLD MEMBER SILVER MEMBER

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  10. andrewok1

    andrewok1 In Maximum Overdrive GOLD MEMBER SILVER MEMBER

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    [​IMG]
     
  11. Unclebrad

    Unclebrad In Fourth Gear SILVER MEMBER

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    I did look at that diagram, and it looks to me like the switch should be low on the column, and visible in the pic I took if it was going to be there. Since the diagram is for a 1972 car, I figure there could be differences. Just thought someone might be able to confirm that.

    I haven't crawled under the car to look for it on the transmission because I am in N. California and we are getting rain. (Bad news AND good news in this case.) Guess that is my next step, although, in the thread linked above, the notion was that a worn shift selector would cause similar problems. (" the worn out and therefor sloppy shift selector mechanism was probably more to blame than the switch itself.")

    I guess I have to consider this, since mine is pretty sloppy. Would that require total column replacement?
     
  12. andrewok1

    andrewok1 In Maximum Overdrive GOLD MEMBER SILVER MEMBER

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    they sell bushing kits for the column/and FORD always had a better idea ,and changes where made often ,here is another view from fairlane
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2016
  13. burninbush

    burninbush In Maximum Overdrive

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    Should be on top of the column, down near the firewall. Assuming yours is the same as my '71. Not very big, will have a connector with two wires attached.

    What do you suppose that hose clamp and plastic tie-wrap are there for? Possible they were holding down the switch and they have come unmoored somehow?
     
  14. ribald1

    ribald1 Banned PLATINUM MEMBER

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    It does appear that an "engineered to fail" repair was done on the switch before.
    The screws are probably long gone.
     
  15. Unclebrad

    Unclebrad In Fourth Gear SILVER MEMBER

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    Interesting observation. I'll have a look tomorrow
     
  16. handy_andy_cv64

    handy_andy_cv64 In Maximum Overdrive SILVER MEMBER

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    Or the switch was un@$$ed completely and the pigtail jumpered. I've seen that on some customer cars.... \%^()
     
  17. davis

    davis In Maximum Overdrive

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    yeah, that hose clamp looks a bit odd. i had a safety switch go out on my mustang (which is mounted to the trans) and bypassed it with a paper clip til in got a new one.
    your column unit may look like this
    [​IMG]
     
  18. Unclebrad

    Unclebrad In Fourth Gear SILVER MEMBER

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    Now that I have a better idea of what to look for, had another look.
    I think that you guys pegged it.
    Another angle clearly shows a bolt hole, and I would be willing to bet the quad connector, hanging loose in the foreground, that has been jumped with a green wire, should be attached to the missing switch.
    Looks like there has been other wiring work down there too. (Did I mention that none of the electrics in the dash work? Dash lights, Gas gauge, etc.) That ought to be a good puzzle when I get to it.
    Many thanks for your patience and willingness to share your knowledge!
    IMG_3619.JPG
     
  19. handy_andy_cv64

    handy_andy_cv64 In Maximum Overdrive SILVER MEMBER

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    Man, I don't envy you. I've had cars with rat nest repairs done to them. And auto electrical is one of my specialties. So good luck and good hunting.
     
  20. andrewok1

    andrewok1 In Maximum Overdrive GOLD MEMBER SILVER MEMBER

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    YES SIR ,MISSING SWITCHhtt//www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Ford-Ranchero-500-GT-Fairlane-Torino-ORIG-UNDER-DASH-MAIN-WIRING-HARNESS-/161982134298?hash=item25b6e3381a:g:1UUAAOSw9r1V8McD&vxp=mtr
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2016

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