Only starts in "N"

[The Preacher]

For the whole story..

Went out for a trail ride to check out a mine and nearly walked home. After some exploring, hopped in the Chero, turned the key and NOTH'N! :( This was not good. Had my 3 little girls with me and was worried.

I had done my usual turn around before we had stopped for just such an occurance so we could coast as far as possible before we would have to shoe it. We coasted about a mile and she still would not start. I had tried everything I could think of when the thought came to try starting it in neutral. Bingo!! smile.gif Cranked the first time.

So what do I need to do?? Where do I start?? Is this an easy fix??

[River Beast]

There is something that triggers the park and neutral... dunno what it is, but if park wasn't engaged all the way... that could cause it..check your linkage for any bends that shouldn't be there first....just a guess

[porchpiggy]

I've never had a problem with it on my wag, but other cars I've had trouble with the nuetral safety switch. Had one that the only way you could start it was to turn the key while you bumped it up and down a little in nuetral. First check the mounting of the switch (I think it should be on the transmission end of the linkage) and then your adjustment of your linkage, that it is closing the switch properly. When they fail you won't start as opposed to starting in gear. :cool:

[PhilSine]

The neutral safety switch is located under the dash, pm top of the column, close to the firewall. The switch will have a connector on it with 2 blue wires coming off it. The other connector on the switch is the reverse lights.

[Rockwagon]

I not familier with the T-400 but the later models with the 727 have a switch mounted in the tranny itself. Near the shift linkage.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Does the shift indicater line up to the propper gear you are in? Point to drive when you are in drive, Park when in Park, ect. Try to start it while pushing hard on the shifter up forcing it further into Park. If it starts, then the linkages are out of adjustment. If not it will be the starter safety/reverse light switch. Mounted on top of the column at the base by the firewall. ;)

[wagdriver]

I'll have to agree with the Jeepman here. Mine gets a little lazy now and then and all I have to do is push it farther into park and it starts. ;)

[The Preacher]

Thanks for all the replies. Doesn't sound too serious. When it would not start, I had moved the shifter several times but to no avail. What was getting me worried out in the middle of the desert was that I did not know where to start looking for the soluttion. It was not until later that I had thought of cranking in neutral.

I will do some exploring underneath the dash tomorrow to check those wires. As for the "accuracy" of the pointer on the shifter, it does seem to be off a bit which may be the culprit.