Car won't start

[gunmetal]

I got in my car the other day and it would not start.  I did some trouble shooting and found that if I messed with the shifter I could get the car to start, I've since changed the Nuetral/park switch and I still have to mess with the shifter some times to get the car to start.  Is there something I'm missing?

Surely the switch is not bad...

[Moparal]

The car should only start in neutral or park if everything is factory spec. Sounds like your shift sel lever at the tranny needs adjusting maybe. Make sure you chalk your tires and use safety jacks when yer under your car

[moparmaniac59]

Sometimes the linkage (lower rod) can actually rub the rubber boot on the neutral safety switch plug causing it to become unplugged. I had this problem until I made some minor adjustments. make sure the switch is plugged all the way in while making your other checks!!

                                              Matt B.

[burdar]

The linkage is also commonly worn.  You may need to look at your bushings and replace if they look out-of-round.  Also look for shaft wear in the bushing area.

[ShelbyDogg]

When it does it again,  Use a test light (with the wire clipped to the +side of the battery)  and probe the neutral start wire on the starter relay (not the yellow wire)

The light should light if grounded at the NSS switch.
If it doesn't, pull off the plug on the tranny, then probe the center pin.
If it lights up, the plug or wire is bad. If it doesn't, your NSS switch isn't being grounded by your shift lever inside the tranny. The center pin goes all the way through to touch metal on the shift arm.

 Pushing it in only closes the circuit between the 2 outside pins to turn on your reverse lights.

[gunmetal]

Seems to be a re-occuring thing for me. I've replaced the nuetral/park switch and ajusted the shifter at the console.  Just every once in a while I turn the key on and it's dead, nothing.  Move the shifter around and it will start. One time I crawled under the car and the switch had came off, like someone said the shifter pulled it off.  I squeesed the connector and got a tighter fit so it won't come off again. Sounds like it's a matter of tweaking till I find the right combination.

Very frustrating to have to worry if will start or not...car has other wiring issues I'm working thru.

[Chryco Psycho]

you may need a new wiring harness from thr firewall to the NSS switch on the tranny , most I have seen the rubber boot over the switch is hardened & can prevent the plug from fitting fully over the switch properly & can cause it to disconnect