No Start, 00 DII. Suspect Neutral Safety Switch.

ukoffroad

Well-known member
Jan 13, 2010
2,125
168
Lynchburg, Va
Drove fine for the day, parked it to jump out and came back in 2 minutes to a no start. Just a click, as if the battery was low but checked voltage. Not the battery, so checked connections, blah blah. Cannot find the issue. I did notice the switch in the console that releases when you put your foot on the brake, lets you shift out of park is not moving. (It was loud and you could feel it shift before.) I cannot remember what that switch is called, but it seems the most likely place to start. Any suggestions? I did swap the XYZ switch on the truck a few months ago with a good one from Will Tillery, so that may be part of the equation but it drove fine for months after that so I doubt it.
 

mearstrae

Well-known member
Mar 15, 2017
143
18
Pennsylvania
Could be as simple as a loose wire on the starter solenoid, or the solenoid itself, or stuck starter bendix. The park interlock won't work if the brake switch is bad, but you can still start your car, just not drive it. Some don't agree, but I take the interlock solenoid out of the shifter bracket, saves trouble later (as when you're stranded 300 miles from home in a parking lot due to water in the tail light housing killing the brake light fuse, ask me how I know...).
 

ukoffroad

Well-known member
Jan 13, 2010
2,125
168
Lynchburg, Va
is the click coming from the starter area?

if the xyz switch or neutral safety was bad you should not get a click at all.

Good question, I did not really pay attention to where but it seemed to be near the starter. I will have to dig more, just found it odd the interlock solenoid was not moving in and out, I could put the car in gear to roll it around.
 

jymmiejamz

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2004
6,008
361
35
Los Angeles, Ca
Check the ground from the battery to the block by putting a volt meter on DC volts, put one lead on the negative terminal and one lead on the block. If you see any significant voltage when cranking then you have a bad ground.
 

Agent

Well-known member
Jun 20, 2007
669
3
WV
Hi Chuck,

A coupe of thoughts, especially if your driving my old truck. I had a crank position sensor die on me once in a very similar manner. Stopped on my way home from work to pick up a pizza and my truck wouldn't start back after being off for a few minutes. It's been several years ago and I don't recall if it would crank or click. I replaced it with a used one from Marty as I call.

Second, I pulled the shift interlock solenoid probably 10 years ago after it failed and never bothered to replace it.

Good luck sorting it out, sir!
 

ukoffroad

Well-known member
Jan 13, 2010
2,125
168
Lynchburg, Va
Finally pushed it into the garage, noticed the third brake light was out. Checked the brake switch, that seems fine. I bought a starter from Will because cheap and a spare, and a CPS just in case. Will dig in this weekend. Trying to be ready for both MAR and Uwharrie this fall and not have to do it in the series.
 

ukoffroad

Well-known member
Jan 13, 2010
2,125
168
Lynchburg, Va
Good question, I did not really pay attention to where but it seemed to be near the starter. I will have to dig more, just found it odd the interlock solenoid was not moving in and out, I could put the car in gear to roll it around.

Had a chance to get under it, and the click is definitely the starter. I hate those exhaust shields.

Anyway, broke the bolts getting the exhaust manifold out to get that janky top bolt out, so I guess I am calling Will.