Transmission Selector Issues

[Snotty]

Hey all, of the last several months I've been experiencing an interesting issue: my starter often does not want to turn while in "Park." I put the key in, turn, and nothing. Acts like a bad battery. I put it in "Neutral" and viola!

Now it's becoming common that if this happens, even while in Neutral I need to jiggle the shift a little, then it will fire.

So, what is wearing out? Or, is there an adjustment I need to look at?

Thoughts?

 

[rkrochen]

I would check the neutral safety switch.

 

[stubs300]

I would check the neutral safety switch.

With that being said, with the shift lever in park. Take your left hand and lift up on the lever and try to start it. Does it fire? If so then the NSS isn't adjusted correctly, or it's on it's last legs. Good Luck

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Switch is fine otherwise it wouldn't start in neutral either, just needs adjusting, maybe a 1/16"-1/8"


Alan

 

[CBODY67]

Seems like there is an undercar adjustment for two shift linkage rods. The main rod coming from the steering column meets another rod with bolt that is in the rod the column rod slides into. Adjust there, I believe.

There is a gate in the steering column that controls the detents for the shift lever. Inside the trans, on the shift shaft rod which the external linkage hooks to, is another "gate" with a spring-loaded ball bearing that indexes with it. Everything should work in harmony, as they say. Adjustment procedure is in the FSM.

NSS screws into the outer trans case. Drain fluid FIRST before trying to replace it, or have a drain pan handy, plus some absorbent rags and brake clean to clean things up with.

Let us know what you find.

Fords were famous for the "pull the shift lever up, when in Park, to start the engine" back then. Usually NOT something which afflicted Mopars.

CBODY67

 

[Snotty]

I'll check the linkage.

I gave thought to the neutral safety switch, but it seems to be clearly working. The problem is it does not seem to know what gear I am in.

Thanks all.

 

[stubs300]

The problem is it does not seem to know what gear I am in.
Thanks all.

Not sure what you mean by that? Are you saying that you can start it in R, or D, or what? Explain.

 

[Snotty]

No, it will not start in Park, and often even in Neutral. When it won't turn over in neutral I have to jiggle the stalk; then it will.

 

[thrashingcows]

I would remove all your linkage, clean and repair as necessary and then lube and re-install. As mentioned it is only old worn and now misadjusted linkage.

 

[rkrochen]

There is a very easy way to diagnose this. Disconnect the linkage at the transmission lever. With it in park try to start it. If it works it’s a linkage problem if it doesn’t it’s the switch.