740 Starts only by shifting gears from N to P

The only way to start her up is by changing rapidly from neutral to
park with the ignition key in cranking position. What am I dealing
with, and how do I fix it? Thanks so much again for helping with the
below problem as well !!!!
1987 740 Turbo Automatic, engine: B230FT

 

Sounds like the inhibitor switch that prevents the engine being started
while the transmission is in drive.

I have had limited experience with autos, hopefully someone else will be
more precise with the location and a fix.


Steve.

 

I have no experience with auto transmissions, but your problem is
definitly the switch at the transmission lever. The switch is there to
prevent start of the engine except when the transmission is in Park. I
have never understood why there is no corresponding function on cars
with manual transmission. Those can be started in any gear. Are
"automatic" drivers less careful?


Anyway, either the switch is faulty or you have a loose cable or almost
broken cable in there. The fact that you can start by juggling the lever
makes it 99 % sure that the problem is at or near the switch. The
vibrations from the juggling make contact now and then and your starter
cranks.

This is an easy or very easy problem to fix. You must remove the
panel(s) at the lever in order to get to the switch. I can't tell for
sure how to do this, but most likely it's a few Phillips screws. Then
check the switch. If you are lucky it has come loose or something like
that. I would first take the panel off and do a visual inspection. If
the cables seem fresh, the switch is properly mounted, I would buy a new
or used switch and replace it.


--
Gunnar

240 Turbo Wagon '84 200 K Miles
940 Wagon '92 150 K Miles
on Swedish roads

 

Good thinking Gunnar but automatic gearbox selectors have a starter inhibitor
switch which enables starting in either Neutral or Park. Still amounts to the
starter inhibitor switch playing up.

Cheers, Peter.


: I have no experience with auto transmissions, but your problem is
: definitly the switch at the transmission lever. The switch is there to
: prevent start of the engine except when the transmission is in Park. I
: have never understood why there is no corresponding function on cars
: with manual transmission. Those can be started in any gear. Are
: "automatic" drivers less careful?
:
:
: Anyway, either the switch is faulty or you have a loose cable or almost
: broken cable in there. The fact that you can start by juggling the lever
: makes it 99 % sure that the problem is at or near the switch. The
: vibrations from the juggling make contact now and then and your starter
: cranks.
:
: This is an easy or very easy problem to fix. You must remove the
: panel(s) at the lever in order to get to the switch. I can't tell for
: sure how to do this, but most likely it's a few Phillips screws. Then
: check the switch. If you are lucky it has come loose or something like
: that. I would first take the panel off and do a visual inspection. If
: the cables seem fresh, the switch is properly mounted, I would buy a new
: or used switch and replace it.
:
:
: --
: Gunnar
:
: 240 Turbo Wagon '84 200 K Miles
: 940 Wagon '92 150 K Miles
: on Swedish roads
:

 

Anyway, either the switch is faulty or you have a loose cable or almost

Maybe one day I'll replace mine too - same problem, but I usually move it
out of park and back again a couple of times and it starts fine. One day I
guess I may not be so lucky!!

Mark