Difficult starting in Park

[basement]

This is a follow up to a previous post. The column gear selector is working correctly now but I have to shove the gear selector into PARK very hard before the engine will turn over. It starts find in NEUTRAL. There must be some safety switch in the column somewhere that has to be happy when the selector is in PARK before the starter will energize?? Is there an adjustment for this so I don't have to slam the shifter into PARK so hard?

[6packCuda]

Once in a while I have the same problem with my slap stick. I don't know why though.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

There is a linkage adjustment down at the trans for sure on floor-shift cars. For the column shift, I'm sure someone else can chime in with that answer if it is not the same. Bushings wear and things get a little sloppy over the years, that can be your issue. Another culprit is the Neutral safety switch. That little guy on the trans makes the ground circuit for your starter relay in neutral and in park, also works your reverse lights.

[71chally416]

I think it has an arm on the steering column in the engine compartment with a rod from the tranny running through a fitting with a hole in it with a bolt that clamps it. I would put it in Park and then lossen that bolt and push the rod towards the park position and tighten it up. 

[inot2old]

i had that problem also.  Be careful if you park on a hill, because the car can slip out of park easily. 

[tactransman]

Next time it does it,unhook the linkage at the trans without moving any of the linkage,then move the arm/lever on the transmission and see if it cranks,if so,try adjusting it like said already. if you lose manual low when it gains cranking in park,shorten the lever at the trans by cutting a section out and welding it back together.