Ok, so I am having to go back to school here. Let me lay out the story. I had my car half way re-done a few years back and since then it has sat in project hell (new story right?) Well I decided late this summer to perhaps get back at it. The car has a Megashifter installed in it.

I charged up the battery and after years of sitting the thing roared to life! Yay! short lived though....went out a few days later to back it out of the garage...nothing. Lights all come on like they should, but not a tick from the starter. Battery has full charge. This leads me to believe either a bad starter solenoid or a dead park neutral switch. Thing is I don't know enough about the switches that come on the Megashifter.

Another related mystery, I noticed that the second cable that used to be on the original shifter (not the kick down cable) is just laying on the floor, not attached. It releases when you turn the key to on. Right now I can actually move the shifter regardless of the key position. That can't be right. This cable I feel should be attached to shifter but there is no attachment points I can see. What am I missing here?

Thoughts on the no start being related to shifter? school me...thanks

 

The only cable that attaches to the shifter is the one that runs to the trans. The other cable that is supposed to only let you start in P shouldn't be attached to anything. So you should be able to shift into any gear with out the key in the ON position. There is two switches attached to the driver side of the shifter. One is for reverse lights and the other is for neutral safety. They are interchangeable. If you are just trouble shooting you can swap them.

 

Really? So with the megashifter, it becomes almost like a manual in that there is no ignition lockout of the trans.....this is the first time I have ever heard this. What did most everyone do with this cable? Just leave it in the center console?

 

Exactly. I Just pushed mine a little further into the center console so it was on the carpeted part to prevent possible rattle. Essentially yes It is just left in the console.

 

I completely removed that cable from my car.

One issue I have with my megashifter is the neutral switch. It doesnt get good contact. Sometimes I have to lightly pull the shifter handle to the driver's side. This gives a better contact and the car will start. I can actually here the swtich click when I do it. I hope I said that in a way you can understand. It is hard to describe.

 

I know what you are talking about. The switches are just mechanical limit switches that are activated by the two rivet type bumps on the side of the shifter. I actually clicked both switches on by hand since car has no center console right now. I got no effect. I will try swapping them just to be sure the one hooked to park/neutral is working. If still nothing I think culprit must be starter relay....

 

Did you use a relay?

 

haha, good question! Answer..no clue! This was installed as a part of a full drivetrain overhaul I had done by a shop. The car got all new motor, trans, Painless wiring harness, dual fan system, and this shifter. I then let the car sit for at least the last 3 years (bought a house that sucked up all time and money) and now able to start playing with the thing once again.

The shop that did this is out of business now so I am on my own in figuring this out. Like I said the car did fire right up no problem and ran for a few minutes, I shut then it off. 3 days later it was dead. All the dash lights flash like they should, fuel pump primes, but I don't even get a tick from the starter.

I have forgotten so much about these cars and their quirky electrical systems/components it's really sad. I just sold my GTO too so this is my only way of occasionally escaping the FWD commuter car hell I now live everyday. Just not sure where to start looking for the issue and park/neutral switch is where I decided to start my investigation......

 

If there's no relay, then the switch contacts are easily burned up.

 

having installed one of these a few months ago i can tell you the switches that come with these are garbage.my car will start in gear because the switch got stuck depressed in (completeing the neutral start circuit) and my reverse lights no longer come on when in reverse because the switch broke (it moves but doesn't click anymore). didnt use the relay but i hear they burn out relatively quick too. i d try some new switches or switching them out and troubleshoot from there.

 

Relays won't burn out if you spec them properly.

 

I installed a mega shifter,I don't have a relay,does anyone know where i can get the relay?I've looked and couldn't find one ,not even on the B&M site..

 

Anywhere that sells automotive electronics, or RadioShack.

 

if i can find mine i didn't use i d sell it for next to nothing.i ll pm u if i find it.

 

You can just use any bosch style relay. I have a Megashifter in my car as well as a couple friends and none of us use a relay for the P/N switch. No issues at all and I've had mine going on 5 years, 30k miles. The limit switches are definitely cheap though.

 

Back from the dead. I burned up 2 relays already. How do I install without a relay?

 

On mine. I just ran the 12 ga purple solenoid wire right into and back out of the limit switch on the shifter.

 

Limit switch?

 

What if I keep the reverse light micro switch and splice in a butt connector on the purple and yellow wire? Wouldnt that cause the camaro to start in all positions? Look below.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/...ps866d9941.jpg


I also found out why the relays fail. The small white wire that is the bridge for the purple and yellow wire may be too small of a gauge to handle the current while cranking. Seems to be acting like a "fusible link". That is the same wire that has burnt up on me 2x's. On one of the pictures, you will see the fix i made by soldering a new piece of wire in place of the burnt one.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/...psac55afcb.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7a2dd3da.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/...ps22916d83.jpg

 

the first time it burnt out.

 

And the second time it burnt out...

 

What do you guys think about this, adding another relay that can handle more current?