Truck won't turn over in park - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*ZmOz* · 06-01-2005, 06:12 PM

'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?

BALDMIKE · 06-01-2005, 06:26 PM

Did you check your battery terminals and also check your positive wire that connects to the starter........

*ZmOz* · 06-01-2005, 06:31 PM

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.

BALDMIKE · 06-01-2005, 06:50 PM

Never assume when it comes to something as simple as connections.

It's easy enuff to check both those fixes 1st........

Russell · 06-01-2005, 07:12 PM

Yeah, there is a switch at the base of the column that probally went bad on you.

MylilBowTie · 06-01-2005, 07:18 PM

Even if they are good wouldn't hurt anything to clean them up with a terminal cleaner and wire brush then reinstall them.

Slonaker · 06-01-2005, 11:01 PM

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.

Slonaker

Tom · 06-01-2005, 11:05 PM

Thats the nuetral safety switch if the problem is on going, no doubt.

jimfulco · 06-03-2005, 01:32 AM

Might be just a bit out of adjustment. Try moving the shifter just a little bit up or down while you turn the key.

79BIG10 · 06-03-2005, 02:10 AM

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.

*ZmOz* · 06-03-2005, 03:29 AM

Can I just cross a few wires and disable the switch? I'm smart enough to only start it in park.

Greenlee · 06-03-2005, 12:20 PM

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.

cliffsta · 06-03-2005, 01:10 PM

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

86 Red_Bowtie · 06-03-2005, 03:03 PM

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.

*ZmOz* · 06-03-2005, 05:13 PM

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...

jimfulco · 06-05-2005, 12:36 AM

Some of those switches also work the backup lights. Two wires are for the BU lights, & the other two are for the starter.

06-01-2005, 06:12 PM	#1
ZmOz Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: OR Posts: 235	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?

06-01-2005, 06:26 PM	#2
BALDMIKE Enormous Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: CLOUD "9" Posts: 108	Did you check your battery terminals and also check your positive wire that connects to the starter........ __________________ "79" Chevy Stepside 350/350 Check my Blog @ www.BaldMikesWorld.blogspot.com

06-01-2005, 06:50 PM	#4
BALDMIKE Enormous Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: CLOUD "9" Posts: 108	Never assume when it comes to something as simple as connections. It's easy enuff to check both those fixes 1st........ __________________ "79" Chevy Stepside 350/350 Check my Blog @ www.BaldMikesWorld.blogspot.com

06-01-2005, 07:12 PM	#5
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Yeah, there is a switch at the base of the column that probally went bad on you. __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

06-01-2005, 07:18 PM	#6
MylilBowTie Right turn Clyde Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,911	Even if they are good wouldn't hurt anything to clean them up with a terminal cleaner and wire brush then reinstall them. __________________ 1974 C25 LWB: 454 4bbl Carb / TH400 / 3.73 1992 Camaro RS 305 TBI

06-01-2005, 11:05 PM	#8
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,748	Thats the nuetral safety switch if the problem is on going, no doubt. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

06-03-2005, 01:32 AM	#9
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	Might be just a bit out of adjustment. Try moving the shifter just a little bit up or down while you turn the key.

06-03-2005, 02:10 AM	#10
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	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. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

06-03-2005, 03:29 AM	#11
ZmOz Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: OR Posts: 235	Can I just cross a few wires and disable the switch? I'm smart enough to only start it in park.

06-03-2005, 01:10 PM	#13
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	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 __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord Last edited by cliffsta; 06-03-2005 at 01:11 PM.

06-03-2005, 03:03 PM	#14
86 Red_Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: South Wichita,KS Posts: 698	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. __________________ Sean Midwest All Truck Nationals, Riverside, MO - 2008 - 2015

06-05-2005, 12:36 AM	#16
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	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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