steve m

Hi guys,
We replaced the floor in my ;85 T/A over the winter.

Was starting fine, just as it should. After we took the carpet out, it won't start with the key switch. It will power up but just won't start up. It's like trying to start a standard tranny car without the clutch pushed in. It will start right up if you cross the leads on the starter with the ignition switch in the run position though.

BTW, new starter and battery and again, worked as it should before the carpet was taken out.

The cable that goes from the shifter to up the steering column [park lock cable ?] was damaged but still seemed to work and all the connections on the switch on the side of the shift lever seemed tight. Maybe the switch got out of adjustment while removing the carpet??

Would that cable not working properly cause it to not start? or does it just lock the ignition switch in place when the car's not in park? Do I need a new cable or is it something else I'm not seeing?

Thanks for any help you can give.

LiveIt!

There is a safety switch in that area that won't let the car start if the gear shift isn't in Park, maybe that got messed up/misaligned somehow?

naf

iTrader: (7)

yep. park/neutral switch at the shift lever enables the starter.

if the connector came loose, you won't have reverse lighting either.

steve m

Thanks guys. That's about what I thought.

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

Check the fusible links at the Starter and the Purple wire leading to the Starter Soleniod......

steve m

Finally fixed it today.
tracked down the wiring and found that the neutral safety switch was coming apart at the bottom. Couldn't see it until we pulled the switch out.

Squeezed it back together and bent the little metal tabs closed tighter, put it back in and the car fired right up !

Now all the bodywork, etc is all done, she's getting painted in a few days.

Thanks again for the help and advice guys, I really appreciate it !!