1988 Ford Bronco 2, A4LD Safety Switch Location

[wildbill23c]

Seems the switch that tells the truck its in park is going bad, where is the switch located?

 

[RonD]

Just above the shifter on drivers side of transmission, it is a round plunger style switch, with 4 or 5 wires connected

looks like this: http://www.transpartsdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/56991-swi-large.jpg

There is a cam inside the transmission that moves the plunger up and down for the different "gears"

Reverse lights and Park/Neural are what the wires are used for

 

[wildbill23c]

Thanks, I was hoping it was just a safety switch so I could bypass it, seems its failing have to move the shift lever around a bit for it to finally realize its in park LOL.

 

[RonD]

You can just connect the START wires together

2 wires will be for the reverse lights, one of these will have 12volts with key on, usually a purple wire
Then an OUT to reverse bulbs, often the black/pink wire

Once you ID those 2 leave them connected to the switch, assuming they work now, lol

Cut the other 2 or 3 wires and twist ends together, its now by passed, leave enough wire to re-splice down the road
1 wire comes from the ignition switch, has 12v with key in START position
the other 1 or 2 go to starter relay(solenoid) "S" post and to TFI module START pin

 

[wildbill23c]

You can just connect the START wires together

2 wires will be for the reverse lights, one of these will have 12volts with key on, usually a purple wire
Then an OUT to reverse bulbs, often the black/pink wire

Once you ID those 2 leave then connected to the switch, assuming they work now, lol

Cut the other 2 or 3 wires and twist ends together, its now by passed, leave enough wire to re-splice down the road
1 wire comes from the ignition switch, has 12v with key in START position
the other 1 or 2 go to starter relay(solenoid) "S" post and to TFI module START pin

Thanks RonD, I'll look at it this weekend and get it temporarily bypassed till I can replace the switch. Just started having trouble with it last week first time it happened I thought the dang ignition switch died, then thought well I'd move the shift lever and then it started so at least I know what it is, and I assume it would start in neutral too or does that same switch have anything to do with being able to start in neutral?

 

[RonD]

Yes, it should also start in neutral

If you have a column shifter then could just be getting loose, a common issue on Ford Trucks

Google: Ranger loose column shifter

Loads if videos and fixes for this issue

 

[wildbill23c]

Yes, it should also start in neutral

If you have a column shifter then could just be getting loose, a common issue on Ford Trucks

Google: Ranger loose column shifter

Loads if videos and fixes for this issue

Nope its a floor shift, don't think the Bronco 2 had a column shift till the 89 model year LOL. Wish it had a column shift though...I'm sure I could install one but way too much work for my lack of mechanical brain and lack of patience LOL.

Thanks for your help RonD. I'll look at it this weekend and see what's going on...maybe the shifter itself is just out of adjustment....wouldn't surprise me at all LOL.