For the past couple months my F150 intermittently will not crank. I've had it in to a shop twice and they were not able to replicate the issue after it was towed - it started right up for them. After the 2nd visit to the shop they replaced the starter and fast forward to today I have the same issue - it will not crank. Any ideas on anything I could try or check before having it towed to another shop?

 

Quick update, I was able to get it to crank and start by shifting it into neutral. When shifting into park it does seem to go into park but the needle seems to be slightly to the right side of the "P". Nice knowing I can get it started again. After shutting it down I was able to start it while in park. Open to any suggestions though!

 

3 possibilities - the MLPS (neutral safety switch) is out of adjustment or the Torx bolts that hold the shift cable bracket to the shift tube. They loosen and cause a sloppy shift handle. Also, there is a thumbwheel at the bottom of the column to adjust the PRNDL indicator.

 

Thanks GLC! Will try the spin wheel first since that looks easiest. If it keeps happening I'll see if the shift cable needs to be tightened. If that doesn't fix I'll replace that switch.

What a relief I shouldn't get stranded again because of this and this should be a fairly simple fix!

 

The switch is adjustable.

 

I was able to adjust the thumbwheel but I wasn't able to see the torx bolts that connect the bracket to the shift tube, guessing this is facing the firewall and I didn't feel like bending too much this morning to check that out. Will see how this goes for now!

 

The Torx bolts should be okay if the shifter doesn't wobble. The MLPS adjustment is at the transmission, under the truck.

 

Now that I'm paying more attention the shifter definitely has a wobble. Will track down the torx bolts!

 

 

Thank you! I got them both tightened up, it appears all fixed up!

 

no, they are on top of the column. the cover has to come off

 

also, the neutral safety switch on the trans has some weird orientation where it's easy to get it wrong. I had to actually look up how to set it properly, it isn't the way you'd think