I took the Mav over to a different front end shop today to have a look at it. When I go there, I turned of the engine, but the key wouldn't come out of the run position (wouldn't turn back to off). Any way, a few minutes after messing with it is was time to move it into the shop to lock up for the night. Well it wouldn't start. I was POed. Well as it turned out, the shift collar from the old column shift had fallen down into the reverse slot, and so it wouldn't let the key out. This makes sense, but the thing that really got me, was the fact that the car wouldn't start even though I removed the column safety switch and installed a different one on the tranny when I switched to floor shift. So I guess my question is, what would make it do this even though the neutral switch is removed from the column. Is there another switch inside the column that requires attention? What is your guys take on this. After moving the collar back to the old park position, it fired right up, and also removed the key as always. What do you guys think? I have never seen or heard of this happening before. I guess this is a very cheap theft deterrent. Thanks for any observations. -Corbin
My car does the same, It's been that way for so long I had forgotten due to habit. Just push the lever up into park when you want to start/stop the car and hold it there. Someone told me long ago it was a bushing or something like that. I'm sure someone will post the right answer. I really need to fix mine, it's to the point that if you barely touch it, it will fall into reverse and back you go. I'm gonna hit something one day when I'm not paying attention.
Mine did the same My mav did the same thing for the first couple of years I had it. You had to hold the lever up to crank it or it would drop into reverse and off you'd go. My mechanic finally fixed it after adjusting some spring(I think) after he nearly took out the back of his shop because of the mav jumping into reverse. Luck with your problem, Preston P.S- If you want, I'll find out what spring he adjusted and let you know. Preston
Thanks for the info guys. Fortunatly, this problem doesn't really affect me much since now the column shift is disconnected, but what really got me is why it wouldn't start when I have the neutral safety switch (or what I thought was the neutral safety switch) removed from the column. Maybe there is one inside the column as well? I don't know, maybe someone else would. -Corbin
shift lever I had a problem in 1973 with a 1970 maverick automatic column shift. Ford later had an annoucement and a modification to correct the problem. The problem was the car shifting itself from park to reverse. I was at a gas station with the car running, got out and the car jumped into reverse. This is not the same problem you describe, but some thing you may look into.
Corbin; I moved my shifter to the floor, and had a problem like yours. I took the woring from the neutral/safety switch and used it to connect the trans-mounted switch. They plug in directly, you just have to extend the wiring about 2ft. to reach the plug under the dash. I have had no problems since, and the column position is not a factor. The switch is still on my column, and could be removed. Good luck! Earl
