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Old 06-01-2005, 06:12 PM   #1
ZmOz
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Truck won't turn over in park

'79 C20, 454/TH400...

Got in the truck today to park it somewhere else, wouldn't start in park. Starter didn't budge and no clicking. Put it in neutral and it started. I'm guessing there's a bad nuetral start switch somewhere. Where is this switch and what do I need to do to fix it?
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Old 06-01-2005, 06:26 PM   #2
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Did you check your battery terminals and also check your positive wire that connects to the starter........
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Old 06-01-2005, 06:31 PM   #3
ZmOz
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BALDMIKE
Did you check your battery terminals and also check your positive wire that connects to the starter........
No, but like I said, it started in neutral, so the connections must be fine.
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Old 06-01-2005, 06:50 PM   #4
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Never assume when it comes to something as simple as connections.

It's easy enuff to check both those fixes 1st........
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Old 06-01-2005, 07:12 PM   #5
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Yeah, there is a switch at the base of the column that probally went bad on you.
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Old 06-01-2005, 07:18 PM   #6
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Even if they are good wouldn't hurt anything to clean them up with a terminal cleaner and wire brush then reinstall them.
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Old 06-01-2005, 11:01 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZmOz
No, but like I said, it started in neutral, so the connections must be fine.
That makes really good sense, but...My experience has been that electrical problems, due to their intermittent nature, often defy logic. Stuff starts working randomly, so you assume it is fixed when it really is not.

Cleaning the cables never hurts, and has fixed probably 75% of the "no start" problems I have ever had.

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Old 06-01-2005, 11:05 PM   #8
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Thats the nuetral safety switch if the problem is on going, no doubt.
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Old 06-03-2005, 01:32 AM   #9
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Might be just a bit out of adjustment. Try moving the shifter just a little bit up or down while you turn the key.
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Old 06-03-2005, 02:10 AM   #10
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The guys are right. I've had this problem a couple times happen to me when I'm in neutral. The neutral safety switch is located at the base of the steering column right at the floorboard. It has 4 wires going to it. It will only let you start the truck in either park or neutral. Quick and easy fix. Take the wired in connectors off and then I think there's 2 screws. Take it out and replace with a new one.
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Old 06-03-2005, 03:29 AM   #11
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Can I just cross a few wires and disable the switch? I'm smart enough to only start it in park.
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Old 06-03-2005, 12:20 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimfulco
Might be just a bit out of adjustment. Try moving the shifter just a little bit up or down while you turn the key.
Mine does this quite often. I have to push it all the way up for it to start.
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Old 06-03-2005, 01:10 PM   #13
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yeah you pretty much gotta throw it into park for mine to catch. My sis drove my truck and she gingerly shifts (i laugh my ass off at it) and she never puts it all the way.

this is how she shifts. (from park) R..... N.......D (from drive)N..........R........P
this is how I shift RND NRP
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Old 06-03-2005, 03:03 PM   #14
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Pull the wires off of the switch that is mounted on top of your steering column (inside the cab by the firewall) and put a jumper wire in between them, the dang truck will start. Don't bet on the remembering to put in park to start everytime, I thought that myself until I got in a hurry and started it and took off down the drive ONCE---Never again.
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Old 06-03-2005, 05:13 PM   #15
ZmOz
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 86 Red_Bowtie
Pull the wires off of the switch that is mounted on top of your steering column (inside the cab by the firewall) and put a jumper wire in between them, the dang truck will start. Don't bet on the remembering to put in park to start everytime, I thought that myself until I got in a hurry and started it and took off down the drive ONCE---Never again.
I did the same thing with my other truck...haven't run over anybody, yet...
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Old 06-05-2005, 12:36 AM   #16
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Some of those switches also work the backup lights. Two wires are for the BU lights, & the other two are for the starter.
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