i am trying to help my mother "drive safer" ;) as the switch is on the fritz sometimes her car wont turn over when in park but will in neutral, other times neither. and finally many times it can start while in gear!!

i just can't identify the switch and its wire path now that i removed the trim plate surrounding the gear shift. any advice on typical troubleshooting procedures AND assistance with locating the location of the relevant parts and wires would be appreciated!! ie shop manual scans,photos/diagrams

thanks very much in advance

will jones
old greenwich,ct
cellphone 203 962 5555
williambjones3rd""AT""gmail.com

 

An '86 will have a combined backup lamp/neutral safety switch on the transmission, not in the console.

This may help. It refers to adjusting the switch for backup lamp operation but the same principle can be used for the neutral safety switch function.

http://www.jag-lovers.org/xjlovers/xjfaq/backup.htm

Cheers
DD

 

Down on the transmission case, under car on LH side, follow the selector cable and you'll see it, the black thing. If you're lucky, all that has happened is the single bolt which holds it in place and keeps it from rotating has fallen out.

Even more likely is that the starter relay is failing intermittantly, tharts the large silver relay under the hood, at the firewall. Next time she gets stuck and you aren't around, tell her to open the bonnet and then slam it shut. I have talked customers through this over the phone, and just that much of a jar to the relay permitted it to work again for the moment.

 

My mistake, I was typing my answer and I see you already received one.