Ford 5000 shift lever neutral switch

[James St. Aubin]

My Ford has been a little hard to start lately apparently because the gear shift lever has to be wiggled to just the right spot for the neutral switch in the trans to allow it to start. Now it won"t start at all, apparently for the same reason. Do I just take off the top plate and look for loose linkages? I have learned that the short stick for high-low is the one with the neutral switch. Any suggestions?

 

[Bern]

There's nothing to come loose with that switch, it either works or it doesn't. If you think it's bad, remove the shift cover and replace it.

 

[Mark Slater]

If your gear shift lever does not have an excess of play, it's probably just the switch that is bad. If it does have a lot of play other repairs must be addressed.

To confirm the switch issue simply short the two wires that go to it and try to start the engine. If that is the case, and the engine turns over, you can leave the short in place until you get a new switch for a repair.

 

[mhb@ufe]

There is a plunger under the switch that activates it (C5NN11467R) that wears. Many people have replaced the switch and still had the same problem because the plunger is worn. I would suggest you replace the plunger while you are in there along with the switch.

Mark

 

[JF in MI]

I had the same issue with a 5000. Turned out to be nothing wrong with the switch. Issue was that bolts under the top shift plate (the top of the case) had loosened or fell out and did not allow the shift rods to contact the switch. You have to remove the cover anyway IIRC so you can inspect it.

 

[WNY Molines]

Unplug the wiring harness where it goes in to the cover. Take a Multi-meter and set it to measure resistance. Some even have a function where you can set it to beep when there is a complete circut. Put the tractor in neutral and touch the leads in to both wires coming from the switch and it should beep or at least show a complete circut, and then shift it into a range and it should stop beeping or show an open citcut. If there isnt a complete circut there when in neutral, you know there is some sort of problem with the switch or something inside of there.

 

[James St. Aubin]

Thank you all for your suggestions. We"re looking at a record cold of -4 tonight in Michigan but I"ll try to get out there before the cold hits and take it apart. The comments were most helpful.