I've been having some trouble starting in Park- turn key, no cranking- but moving into Neutral it would start fine. There doesn't appear to be any pattern to this and it now sometimes won't start in Neutral. However, with the gear selector in Neutral, I can wiggle/reposition the gear selector lever and it will start.

With being able to correct by wiggling the gear selector lever, I'm thinking a contact point (?) in the steering column is worn or out of adjustment, rather than a neutral safety switch gone bad.

I'd appreciate some thoughts on further troubleshooting or if anybody else has tackled this problem in the past.

Thanks!

 

Safety switch is on the trans, that's the only safety there is. Could be a failing switch, sloppy shift linkage, or just a bad connection at the switch.

 

Look in the FAQ/DIY section and download one of the free manuals, a haynes is a good a good idea also. Info on how to adjust the linkage will be found in both

 

Thanks- didn't think about the actual linkage itself and assumed it was electrical. I'm currently replacing the wiring in a project car and right now all problems are electrical!

Found the the linkage adjustment procedure in the service manual, so will try this first.

 

I'm sorta having the same prob right now. The linkage is the first place Im looking when I get a chance. Got other non related (to truck) problems right now.

 

i doubt that its the linkage. more likely the switch. the switch is activated by the internal linkage positions/stuff, not the external.

 

Might be a long shot but I had these symptoms years ago. Mine wouldn't start in park, so I'd go to neutral and it'd start right up. Then starting it in neural quit working. Long story short, my problem ended up being the starter. It was on it's way out. Replaced the starter and all was better. I think it was pure coincidence that shifting to neutral made it start for me but I don't know, stranger things happen.