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  #1  
Old 06-20-2006, 08:34 AM
crimsonnblue
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Wont start, what the hell..... help

So I drove to school lastnight and it was about 93 degrees here in kansas city... so it was a generally hot day, I came back out after 3 hours of class and the engine wouldnt start. I got nothing. It wasnt a battery b\c i tried to jump. It doesnt give anything, not even a urg urg.... the accessories work but when I turn the key to start position its like it shorts. So I called towing company b/c I think its the starter. He gets there and tries to start. He said it was the neutral position switch or something. Im not sure exactly what he meant b/c my girlfriend told me what he said today over the phone and Im at work.

Anyways what I was wondering is... what the hell is he talking about. My gf said he put in it neutral or something..

thanx guys
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  #2  
Old 06-20-2006, 08:43 AM
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That sounds like a definite possibility. There's a switch on the shifter assembly that tells the car you have the shifter in park. If the switch gets worn out, the car doesn't know it's in park and won't start.

On some cars the switch can shift or wear a little and be 'adjusted' slightly to account for it. On some you can push on the shifter and get the switch to contact.

I've never had the switch go bad on my SVX, so I couldn't tell you whether either of the above two methods will work. Either way, I'd just replace the switch.
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Last edited by Mr. Pockets; 06-20-2006 at 08:46 AM.
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Old 06-20-2006, 08:46 AM
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Would I need a whole new assembly to fix this?
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Old 06-20-2006, 10:48 AM
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There's also a chance that him putting it in neutral and it working was a coincidence. Try checking your ECU error codes (pull off kick panel below fuse box, insert one of the blue wires into second hole on the top of the black connector), and see if you happen to get a code 12. A common problem is for the connection to the starter to weaken over time. If that is the problem, you can then install a relay between the battery and the starter. Try searching for starter relay or check the SVXipedia at www.svx-iw.com for more info.
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Old 06-20-2006, 11:46 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SubaSteevo
A common problem is for the connection to the starter to weaken over time. If that is the problem, you can then install a relay between the battery and the starter. Try searching for starter relay or check the SVXipedia at www.svx-iw.com for more info.
If he had this problem the starter will emit a "tick" when he tries to start.
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Old 06-20-2006, 01:12 PM
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How clean and tight are the terminals on your battery?? I've been through this exact same thing with my SVX on about 3 occasions now. Everytime my terminals get a little corroded, The car will just lose all power when I try to crank it like the battery died. Get a battery terminal cleaner and properly clean the terminals and cable connections. It should work just fine after a good cleaning. Good luck.
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Old 06-20-2006, 01:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Budfreak
How clean and tight are the terminals on your battery?? I've been through this exact same thing with my SVX on about 3 occasions now. Everytime my terminals get a little corroded, The car will just lose all power when I try to crank it like the battery died. Get a battery terminal cleaner and properly clean the terminals and cable connections. It should work just fine after a good cleaning. Good luck.
That's also a possibility - you wouldn't even be able to jump start the car if the terminals were badly corroded.

I went along with the neutral switch because I assumed his mechanic knows what he's talking about and had checked the terminals.
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Old 06-20-2006, 03:45 PM
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Hey man I had THIS EXACT PROBLEM. Turn key, nothing, but all stuff lights up. I found it was the FUSIBLE LINK right under the fusebox in under the hood of the car. Its a black wire.

It's a 3 dollar fix, just gotta get the wiring from any autostore, get the little connectors, then crimp it together with that vicegrip dealie they got at the autostore. Check the fusible link and see if its fried up, mine was crisp like a burnt piece of chicken. After I replaced it, tada, runs great.
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  #9  
Old 06-20-2006, 03:52 PM
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Wasn't clear from your last post...did the mechanic actually get the car to start or does he just think that you've got a bad neutral safety switch?
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Old 06-20-2006, 04:12 PM
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Another possibility...ignition switch. After I replaced my battery cables and fusible link, I found the ignition switch was the problem. I found the problem to be intermittent and to occur more often when the car/engine was hot rather than cold. Good luck.

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Old 06-20-2006, 07:16 PM
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???

My car starts in neutral.

You're saying it isn't supposed to?
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Old 06-20-2006, 07:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NikFu S.
???

My car starts in neutral.

You're saying it isn't supposed to?

The car should start either in neutral -OR- Park.
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