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Hows it going guys, In a newb here. Just bought a 62 Galaxie 500XL 2dr with a 390 and it wont go into park so I've been starting it in neutral but unfortunately it will only start in drive now. I already ordered a shop manual but in the mean time was hoping some of you guys point me in the right direction. The other issue I have is that the fuel guage doesnt work and the dash lights dont come on. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
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Welcome to the forum!!! As to the problems, sounds like something is messed up with the neutral safety switch. First thing I would do (with the car properly chocked and blocked) is disconnect the linkage at the transmission and see if you can get the transmission to shift through all the positions including park. This will tell you if the transmission has issues or the linkage. If it is the linkage see if you can figure out where it is binding. Next I would look into replacing the neutral safety switch. It should allow the car to start in neutral and park but NEVER drive. Let us know what you find and maybe we can help further from there.
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Thanks Daze. Just wondering, where would I find the NSS? Also is the fuse box located on the d/s kick panel/dash area? I've got a lot to learn...
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OH I forget to answer the dash light question. Turn the headlight switch knob. There is a coil inside the switch that allows you to dim the dash lights, Unfortunately the coils tend to break after 50+ years. If you turn the knob all one direction or the other you bypass the coil and the lights should come on. if not there is probably corrosion on the connections. Had the exact same problem on my 62 and on a 61 I parted out. the fuse box should be part of the headlight switch.
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BTW got any pix of your car?? would love to see it
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Thanks Daze! I will post up a pic real soon. The fuse box is in the light switch? Im still trying to figure out how to take the dash apart so I can get to the switches and fuel gauge...really need that manual now!
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its probably not the gauge. its probably the sending unit in the gas tank or the wire between the tank and gauge. To test the sending unit unplug the wire from the tank and ground it. Then turn the key to on. if the gauge pegs the gauge is good and the sending unit is bad. if the gauge does nothing it still might be a bad wire rather than the gauge. Yes the headlight switch also hold the fuses. IMHO not one of Fords better ideas.
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Ok I got the light switch out and ordered one off of ebay just to be safe. I was goint to get the NOS ford one but they have some aftermarket ones for $25 so I just went with that. I noticed that there are a couple of wires cut as pictured below. And theres a pic of the car. I did the wire test for the fuel gauge and nothing, now I have to figure out if the gauge is bad...
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Posting this from a 61 shop manual...thought it might be helpful?
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Thank Dan, apprecaite the diagram.
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