97 wont start, suspected park sensor

agcneo · 02-07-2007, 09:07 PM

my 97 occasionally wont even turn over, it just stays dead like if u were to try to start it while its in reverse or drive. after i jiggle the shifter awhile, it starts up. is there any way to bypass that sensor? and i need to figure out how to adjust the linkage somewhere so that i can shift out of park easily, it sticks very badly, to the point where i have to use 2 hands to press the button on the shifter to get it out of park. any ideas? and does it sound like the park sensor preventing it from startin? any other thoughts?

old_master · 02-07-2007, 10:23 PM

The part you're referring to is on the transmission and is called a neutral start switch, (sometimes it's referred to as a neutral safety switch). That switch can cause a no crank condition if not adjusted properly. If you need to wiggle the gear shift to get it to crank, I would consider it a likely cause. The ignition switch is also a known problem in '97.

agcneo · 02-07-2007, 11:01 PM

well its a new ignition switch as off last may or so. so where is this switch located, yes its that no crank sympton, the battery isnt dead, i know that for a fact. its not cranking, once i wiggle it a bit then it does crank.

Blue Bowtie · 02-08-2007, 08:36 AM

What exactly are you wiggling to get the starter to operate?

agcneo · 02-08-2007, 01:58 PM

the shifter. i hold the break in, wiggle the shifter a bit, lately its been gettin harder, and its extremely hard to get out of park, mainly because the button on the shifter does not want to depress. but one of my friends gave me a tip, put it in neutral and start it. that works. bu ti would like to beable to start it while its in park

MT-2500 · 02-08-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agcneo

the shifter. i hold the break in, wiggle the shifter a bit, lately its been gettin harder, and its extremely hard to get out of park, mainly because the button on the shifter does not want to depress. but one of my friends gave me a tip, put it in neutral and start it. that works. bu ti would like to beable to start it while its in park

It is a safety switch so a bypass unless for testing is not a good idea.
But the starting and getting out of park may be two different problems.
Is this one you have to step on brake to get out of park?
Check switch and shift linkage adjustment to start with.

agcneo · 02-08-2007, 03:56 PM

yes, i have to apply the break to shift it. how do i check the shift linkage? an adjust it?

MT-2500 · 02-08-2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agcneo

yes, i have to apply the break to shift it. how do i check the shift linkage? an adjust it?

First check is the manual shift linkage operation and for being lose.
Does it go into park and neutral and drive gears/positions good.
Then the switch should have a arrow pointer on it that will line up in one of the gears.
The switch should have 2 hold down bolts/screws that you can loosen up and adjust it.
If adjustment does not help it is time to replace the switch

On gear shift not shifting out of park make sure brake light switch and brake lights are working good to start with.
The brake light switch triggers a unlock solenoid to release gear selector lever.
Check solenoid for good operation and working good.
But it also go threw the park and neutral switch so fix the park and neutral switch first and it may solve the shift release problem

agcneo · 02-08-2007, 11:31 PM

break switch works, when out of park, all gears are smooth, rev, drive, low gears, neutral, and goin back into park, its just that damn button on the side of the shifter. now where are all these things you mentioned located? i know what i have to do now, but i dont know where to look for them..

MT-2500 · 02-09-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agcneo

break switch works, when out of park, all gears are smooth, rev, drive, low gears, neutral, and goin back into park, its just that damn button on the side of the shifter. now where are all these things you mentioned located? i know what i have to do now, but i dont know where to look for them..

Start with the neutral safety switch.
You will find it on the left side of transmission where the shift shaft goes into it.
There will be a wiring plug in on it quite of few wires going into it.

agcneo · 02-11-2007, 12:06 AM

ok thanks for that. but the shifting out of park still isnt fixed. the starting problem has been solved though. any idea on how to adjust linkage for the shifting out of park?

MT-2500 · 02-11-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agcneo

ok thanks for that. but the shifting out of park still isnt fixed. the starting problem has been solved though. any idea on how to adjust linkage for the shifting out of park?

I see if I can find some info on it.
What did you have to do to solve the start problem?
MT

agcneo · 02-11-2007, 01:56 PM

it kinda just fixed itself. it got warmer up here a tad bit above freezing. so i was thinking some ice somewhere melted out. hasnt given me any trouble in the past 3 days, and before it was being problematic at least 5 times aday.

MT-2500 · 02-11-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agcneo

it kinda just fixed itself. it got warmer up here a tad bit above freezing. so i was thinking some ice somewhere melted out. hasnt given me any trouble in the past 3 days, and before it was being problematic at least 5 times aday.

Some info is on the road.
But one other thing is pull the wiring plug off of neutral safety switch and check prongs and wires for moisture or green stuff.
Everything has to go threw that switch.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes.
MT

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