Tracker starting problem?

[jl102284]

I have a 97 Tracker (5 speed) and when I try to start it I have about a 50/50 chance of it starting or not. When I turn the key the light on the radio goes off and nothing happens. I thought it was a battery connection problem first so I changed the battery terminals and it turns out that wasnt the problem. I found that if I push the clutch in and out a few times sometimes it starts right up so I think the problem is the safety device (I think its called a neutral swith, not sure though) which prevents the engine from starting without pushing the clutch.
Does anyone know how to change this switch? Where is it located? How difficult is it?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[jtgh]

yes, and yes, and yes,
on the clutch pedal linkage above toe. look there and you will see it
wiggle clutch and behold clutch safety switch wiggles too.
it is bad , swap it out.

many smarter ignition swithes , drop the ACCesories load so you will have full power to the starter. Pretty nice idea.

you did good.

[Bex]

On my tracker, the top of the switch that is pushed by clutch pedal seemed to wear down, so that when the pedal was depressed, it didn't push the 'button' on the clutch switch down. The switch itself was working. I couldn't get replacement of switch here (and, at least for me, ws in real difficult place to work unless you are human pretzel). I just attached bit of metal in between so when clutch pedal is depressed, button goes down. Made sure not too high so that when pedal relased no pressure on button.

[jtgh]

sure , shim the switch or bracket or as some do, just bypass it.
we drove for 79 years with out the switch. (Ford Model A to present)

you must be on 2nd roll over on that ODOMETER.

cheers.