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Neutral Safety Switch?

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0GXP5

New member
Got back from the airport on Sunday morning after taking the red-eye back from Vegas, only to have my car not start (What a great feeling at 6AM and it being about 5 degrees outside). Accessories worked fine, lights were nice and bright. I thought starter, but after checking with a test light, I'm getting juice to the solenoid from the battery, but not the other side. I used a screw driver and started the car by touching the 2 main voltage terminal bolts together or whatever they're called. Car won't start in neutral or park (first thing I tried). I am not completely mechanically inclined, I know some stuff, but this is a type of thing I'd prefer to get opinions on. Anyone else have opinions or things I could try to be 100% sure before I buy anything? Thanks in advance.
 


sounds like the ignition harness or the key switch took a dump. does the dash black out when you turn the key to start?

either that or a bad ground.
 
Yeah the car drives normal, no dash issues, or anything. The check engine light was lit when I turned the key, but that was previously lit a few weeks ago due to "Gas cap" which I checked and it does have wear to it, so I have a new one on the way.
 


so it starts normal now with the key? or you have to jump it with a screw drive every time?

does the dash black out when you turn the key to start? <<<<<its supposed to. if its not blacking out all the dummy lights theres the problem.
 
No, I have to use a screw driver every time, but I tried it last night to move it into the garage and it didn't start and sounded kinda rough, so I stopped.

As far as the dash, I'm not currently with the car, but I do believe it does the original black out like usual.
 
for free checks id look over the 3 grounds on the tranny bell housing, make sure the wires are tight to the eye loops they connect to. and that they nut is tight, and they are clean. also check the battery posts, clean them, make sure they are also tight.

you can also check the starter wires, maybe one is loose, or its broke off.

if all that looks ok, you can try to smack the starter with a hammer a few times to see if it will work again, if it does its bad and needs to be changed.

you can also check for power at the small wire on the starter when the key is turned. 2 man job. no power, were back to the ignition harness.
 
Ok thanks, I'll have to check that stuff out a little more. The red battery post did have a little corrosion, but I did clean it up before trying to start it yesterday night.
 


So I was gonna mess with the relay, but figure I'd try starting it. Well after turning the key nothing happened like I expected. I turned it back off and back on to try again and after 5 times it started and has been starting every time since. I even drove it around the block, shut it off and started it back up. I did notice a pretty loud rattle under the hood though.
 
The rattle I have heard often, so it's nothing new, but it seems like it should be a worry because it's so loud.
 


well that dont really help, as you never know whats was acting up, then it can act up again.

the rattle is new i guess. touch the starter when its idling. see if its the source. maybe the gear is stuck out on the flex plate.
 
No sorry, the rattle is old and has never really affected my car, but It's just so loud it always make me think something is gonna just shatter every time I start my car. I have a warranty with a $200 deductible, so I think I'm just gonna bring it in on Thursday or Friday and have them look at them two issues and I think I might have a wheel bearing going out too.
 
when ever you got a deductible its great when theres a few thing to be fixed.

i had a $50 on my truck, id bring it in with 5 or 6 things for them to fix. they hated my guts.
 
Lol yeah I just got my car back about a month ago too, my whole power steering unit had to be replaced, from the pump, to the tubing, to the steering column. Not to mention a brand new tranny at 50k miles, my warranty has been well worth it.
 
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