The Ford Barn

rasmuss · 10-23-2018, 10:54 AM

I have a bone stock 1954 Mercury Monterey with a Merc o Matic.

The problem I have is that you can start the car even in drive and reverse..
What I understand that is a no no and you should only be able to start in P or N..

Were is the issue? in the ignition lock or in the gearbox itself?
Anyone that can give me a clue were to start..

54vicky · 10-23-2018, 11:19 AM

some time in past someone has bypassed the NS switch.it is -should be at bottom of steering column in engine compartment.it will be crescent shape to fit column there will be 4 wires 2 for backup lights 2 for NS.2 are bullet type I think if like ford 2 will be blade type again if like ford.on ford the blade type are NS if memory serves me right.if you can post a picture someone may see if it has been bypassed nice looking car

KULTULZ · 10-23-2018, 11:50 AM

It most likely needs adjustment and/or something in the gear selector linkage has worn.

rasmuss · 10-23-2018, 12:39 PM

So could it be the neutral safety switch itself?

I need to check that I guess..
Thanks for the hints..

dmsfrr · 10-23-2018, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasmuss

So could it be the neutral safety switch itself? . . .

If the switch is connected but broken it most likely would not work at all... no starting.
Chances are very good the switch is bypassed in the wiring. (it's cheaper & faster than replacing the switch when the car is for sale, don't ask me how I know)

.

rotorwrench · 10-23-2018, 12:52 PM

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I don't know about the 1954 models but earlier models started in neutral only. The park or neutral starting feature came later. The shift tube operates the switch. The early ones had the switch next to the lever that connected to the transmission in the engine compartment but FoMoCo updated stuff year to year. If it starts in gear the the switch has been completely bypassed.

The switch only affects the starter function. The ignition is still on when you turn on the key switch. This way the car could be pull started if necessary. Many of the Borg Warner designs had two pumps so that the car could be flat towed or pull started.

KULTULZ · 10-23-2018, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

If the switch is connected but broken it most likely would not work at all... no starting.

Odds are the switch is bypassed in the wiring. (it's cheaper & faster than replacing the switch when the car is for sale, don't ask me how I know)

.

That would be something if attempting to start in gear with either a too high fast idle setting or having it floored trying to clear a flooded engine ...

5851a · 10-23-2018, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

That would be something if attempting to start in gear with either a too high fast idle setting or having it floored trying to clear a flooded engine ...

But it sure is handy if car dies in middle of intersection. Been there done that, but seriously not safe at all. I believe 58 was first year it would start in park "and" neutral.

dmsfrr · 10-23-2018, 05:32 PM

Yes it is quick & easy if the engine stalls when starting up at a green light. You don't have to take it out of gear and further annoy the drivers around you.

54vicky · 10-23-2018, 05:38 PM

to answer your question on the switch that is what it looks like

Daves55Sedan · 10-23-2018, 09:34 PM

Someone has pulled the two red wires off the starter neutral switch and connected them together at the rubber insulated barrel connector. If you open the hood and look at the base of the steering column you will see two wires disconnected from the starter neutral switch. Look straight up along the inner fender apron and you will see those two red wires connected together.
The reason why they did that is because the starter neutral switch contacts are burned up or the switch is out of adjustment.
The starter neutral switch simply "enables" the start circuit to be completed only when the gear select lever is in neutral. Disconnecting the two wires from the switch and connecting them together bypasses the switch and allows the circuit to be completed regardless what gear the transmission is in.

Daves55Sedan · 10-23-2018, 09:38 PM

The two red wires with bullet connectors are the start circuit. The other two wires with fork-tongue terminals are for the backup lights. On the '55 and later models, the backup light wires had straight blade push-on terminals instead of fork-tongue, but the rest of the switch is identical to the '52/53/54 switches.

Merc Cruzer · 10-24-2018, 09:39 AM

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

rasmuss · 10-24-2018, 02:58 PM

Thanks for all help, wiring did not look so good..

I think I saw Mac's had some wiring for this..

rasmuss · 10-24-2018, 03:00 PM

Daves55Sedan · 10-25-2018, 11:17 PM

I would seriously consider replacing all of the old varnished/cambric jacketed wiring with modern thermoplastic jacketed wiring. Insulation value of the old stuff is very questionable by now. The two start enable wires could easily be touching anywhere between switch and back to the dash (which would be the same as having a permanent bypass of the switch).

red carr · 11-16-2018, 07:35 PM

Put a later model switch on my54.Starts in park only now. Had to make a bracket to offset it to clear dual exhaust manifold. Little adjustment and it works fine. Car carrier guy couldn't start it causee he didn't try neutral.

rasmuss · 11-28-2018, 09:12 AM

Yeah the switch was non functional and bypassed
With a NOS safety neutral switch and adjusting it it now works fine.

Thanks for all help!!

10-23-2018, 10:54 AM	#1
rasmuss Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 5	Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question I have a bone stock 1954 Mercury Monterey with a Merc o Matic. The problem I have is that you can start the car even in drive and reverse.. What I understand that is a no no and you should only be able to start in P or N.. Were is the issue? in the ignition lock or in the gearbox itself? Anyone that can give me a clue were to start..

10-23-2018, 11:19 AM	#2
54vicky Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oakville Ontario Posts: 586	Re: Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question some time in past someone has bypassed the NS switch.it is -should be at bottom of steering column in engine compartment.it will be crescent shape to fit column there will be 4 wires 2 for backup lights 2 for NS.2 are bullet type I think if like ford 2 will be blade type again if like ford.on ford the blade type are NS if memory serves me right.if you can post a picture someone may see if it has been bypassed nice looking car

10-23-2018, 11:50 AM	#3
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,475	Re: Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question It most likely needs adjustment and/or something in the gear selector linkage has worn. __________________ *** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ... DIAGNOSED CDO** - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)

10-23-2018, 12:39 PM	#4
rasmuss Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 5	Re: Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question So could it be the neutral safety switch itself? I need to check that I guess.. Thanks for the hints..

10-23-2018, 12:52 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I don't know about the 1954 models but earlier models started in neutral only. The park or neutral starting feature came later. The shift tube operates the switch. The early ones had the switch next to the lever that connected to the transmission in the engine compartment but FoMoCo updated stuff year to year. If it starts in gear the the switch has been completely bypassed. The switch only affects the starter function. The ignition is still on when you turn on the key switch. This way the car could be pull started if necessary. Many of the Borg Warner designs had two pumps so that the car could be flat towed or pull started.

10-23-2018, 05:32 PM	#9
dmsfrr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Abq, NM Posts: 3,607	Re: Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question Yes it is quick & easy if the engine stalls when starting up at a green light. You don't have to take it out of gear and further annoy the drivers around you.

10-23-2018, 05:38 PM	#10
54vicky Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oakville Ontario Posts: 586	Re: Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question to answer your question on the switch that is what it looks like

10-23-2018, 09:34 PM	#11
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question Someone has pulled the two red wires off the starter neutral switch and connected them together at the rubber insulated barrel connector. If you open the hood and look at the base of the steering column you will see two wires disconnected from the starter neutral switch. Look straight up along the inner fender apron and you will see those two red wires connected together. The reason why they did that is because the starter neutral switch contacts are burned up or the switch is out of adjustment. The starter neutral switch simply "enables" the start circuit to be completed only when the gear select lever is in neutral. Disconnecting the two wires from the switch and connecting them together bypasses the switch and allows the circuit to be completed regardless what gear the transmission is in.

10-23-2018, 09:38 PM	#12
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question The two red wires with bullet connectors are the start circuit. The other two wires with fork-tongue terminals are for the backup lights. On the '55 and later models, the backup light wires had straight blade push-on terminals instead of fork-tongue, but the rest of the switch is identical to the '52/53/54 switches.

10-24-2018, 02:58 PM	#14
rasmuss Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 5	Re: Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question Thanks for all help, wiring did not look so good.. I think I saw Mac's had some wiring for this..

10-24-2018, 03:00 PM	#15
rasmuss Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 5	Re: Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question

10-25-2018, 11:17 PM	#16
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question I would seriously consider replacing all of the old varnished/cambric jacketed wiring with modern thermoplastic jacketed wiring. Insulation value of the old stuff is very questionable by now. The two start enable wires could easily be touching anywhere between switch and back to the dash (which would be the same as having a permanent bypass of the switch).

11-16-2018, 07:35 PM	#17
red carr Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: alaska Posts: 26	Re: Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question Put a later model switch on my54.Starts in park only now. Had to make a bracket to offset it to clear dual exhaust manifold. Little adjustment and it works fine. Car carrier guy couldn't start it causee he didn't try neutral. __________________ red carr 54 Alaska merc

11-28-2018, 09:12 AM	#18
rasmuss Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 5	Re: Mercury 1954 Merc O Matic question Yeah the switch was non functional and bypassed With a NOS safety neutral switch and adjusting it it now works fine. Thanks for all help!!