What I thought was a weak battery, my mechanic is now thinking my no-start in Park is being caused by a failing Neutral Safety Switch, a $500 part! (whole gear selector is replaced)

It started two weeks ago after a week at the airport garage, it didn't want to start. Gauges would light, radio would start with the nav, everything...just no cranking at all. Thought at this point, it was a weak battery.

Moved it to Neutral, then back to park, and it started.

Fast forward to a few days ago. Sat overnight, tried to start in the AM, no cranking again. Moving to P-N-P-N finally turned over in neutral.

Today, stopped by to pick up something, turned off the car. Returned, no-crank again, this time P-N-P-N-P-N-P-N-P-N-P-N...finally cranked.

I was told that it will eventually not let me start no matter how often I exercise it.

Mechanic thinks that by parking on an incline (which I only do at work) w/o using the parking brake will put stress on the switch when taking it out of park. I suppose it makes sense, and I do not use the parking brake at all. (I did today though, crossing fingers)

I won't be able to bring it back to the shop until next week. In the meantime, any other thoughts? Is this 'adjustable' or am I buggered, as the Brits would say.

 

Well you are # 3 on my list of no starts because of a “P” & “N” selector switch. I want to know more about this switch. Is it internal or external? The one I found is external and I want to get my hands on one so I can see if it is repairable.

Matt – After you talked so nice to her. Now you know why I talk to mine that way!

 

^ I know, I know.

They showed me a gearshift removed from an s-type, and the part he was referencing was inside, under the gear selector part.

If I do replace mine, I'll save my part for you Gus.

 

Yes Please! It sounds like another mystery that is going to bite us all. I do understand used ones are available.

 

I haven't tried it yet, or needed to luckily, but I seem to remember when buying my '98 XK8 the dealer told me that they had a problem with those switches. There is that star shaped nut on the upper left part (I think) of the gear surround. He said if it ever wouldn't start to remove that star shaped thing, and put something thing in there to depress the switch, that bypasses the safety switch. Like I said, never tried it, but may be worth a try.

 

I think this is the switch we are looking for.

 

Maybe the 6P ZF isn't mounted to the transmission? Every other swtich i've seen has been.

I can't even find it in the parts list.

 

I found this to be a great resource;
http://openpdf.com/
http://openpdf.com/ebook/zf-5hp-24-pdf.html

 

Switch hasn't acted up again since the other day, waiting as long as possilble before I spend $700 for the swap-out. If my status changes, I'll update the thread...promise.

 

No used ones laying around?