In the Haynes manual under Troubleshhoting: "Car won't turn over" or something like that.........option: "make sure car is all the way in PARK". Here is the question:

Will our cars start in Neutral and Park or just Park. Reason being, I had my Neutral Safety Switch replaced as a cause that my car would not start. I could have sworn that it started in Neutral as wll as Park PRIOR to the new switch being replaced. Now though, it will only start in park. Haynes also lists possible driveability issues (code 34, like I have) if you drive with the NSS unplugged. I figure that a faulty one would duplicate one that is not there. Any ideas?

Chris

 

For automatics, the car will start in either Park or Neutral depending on where the shifter is when the key is turned. The reason it says to make sure the car is all the way in PARK is because the starter solenoid is wired to the PARK/NEUTRAL switch and if the shifter is not in one of these positions. The ignition circuit will not be closed when the key is turned and the car won't start. The same thing will happen if you change out the PARK/NEUTRAL switch and don't adjust it. If your car won't start in neutral, there is something wrong with the switch or its adjustment.

 

It will start in neutral, trust me. With all the idle issues I have had over the years I became very good at restarting the car in N while either stopped at a light, rolling off an off ramp, cruising down the street, etc