Neutral safety switch don't work now?

[SteveBrethouwer]

Today I installed a new TSS in my 71, I probably went into the job a little deeper then I needed too but, I loosened the shift collars two little square head bolts and lifted up the shifter tube a little ways, my string attached to the old TSS came loose from the new one as i was installing it, now my neutral safety won't let me start my truck without moving it  manually, is there a pin or something that I knocked off? Whats the easiest way to fix it? all your answers will be greatly appreciated, Farmer

[fordman]

the switch has an adjustmnet to it on the column where it sits at. loosen the two bolts and slide it over towards the lever sticking out of the column. dont shove it over all the way. just enought it will let the truck start.

[FORDification]

Well, there's supposed to be a clip-on arm at the base of the column, which clips to the shifter tube and actuates the NSS. If you were pulling on the shift tube, you might have sent that clip flying off...or bent it so that it doesn't contact the NSS as it's supposed to.

[SteveBrethouwer]

Thats exactly what must have happened, I don't feel or see the clip, is there any chance that it fell into the steering column and can another one be purchased? I don't remember ever seeing one of those for sale? Thanks for the info, Farmer

[SteveBrethouwer]

Keith, can the NSS be bypassed and not used at all?

[FORDification]

Yes, it can be bypassed, but I'd strongly recommend that this be only a temporary thing until you can find that acutating arm and replace it.

On trucks with a 4-speed transmission, the wiring harness is the same...that is, it has the wiring for the NSS, but since it's not needed, a bypass plug is installed into the end of the harness connector that would normally plug into the NSS.