Truck won't start in Park, only in Neutral?
 

Lately, when starting my truck while in Park, I get nothing. No clicks, no turnover, nothing. If I shift to Neutral, it starts right up. :confused: Has anyone else had a similar problem or have any advice on what to test?

Truck is a '97 F250 LD with the 5.4.

Thanks!

Take a look at your tranny linkage and see if it is fully engauged in park. Make sure you chock the wheels just incase its not in park.

My neighbors Dodge is doing the same thing. We adjusted the linkage and that didnt help. We think there must be some sort of relay, or solenoid, safety switch or something that is bad.

Dealer says Neutral Safety Switch and wants $400 to replace. I've done some searching on here and found some threads about it, but not for the same problem I'm having. Is it fairly easy to replace or is it hidden somewhere? I'm fairly mechanically inclined, just don't have a lot of space or time to do some of this work.

BTW, 05supercrew. I love those wheels. They are perfect for your truck. Really sets it off.

Replace the TR Sensor (aka Neutral Safety Switch) mounted on the tranny.

Steve

Ok....is that hard to do? Is it easily accessible?

Im not sure, but doesnt the Nuetral Safety Switch allow it to start in both P and N same switch? I havent had this problem on my f150.:confused: If the switch was bad it wouldnt send voltage to the solenoid at all.

It is not difficult. The only harder part is to realign the switch.

Yes, the TR sensor allows the starter relay drive power to pass in both Park and Neutral. The OP's has failed in the Park position while the Neutral position still works, a very common failure mode.

Steve

Alright. I've found my Haynes Manual which describes the alignment process. I think this should be doable. I'll just have to track down a switch and make sure that I do the alignment right. Thanks for the help. Better than $400.

Realignment is pretty easy.

Safe the truck so it can't roll or fall on you.

Turn ignition switch to RUN without starting.

Place shift lever in REVERSE.

Rotate the switch until the backup lights come on. Center the travel of the switch.

Tighten the switch mounting bolts and restore the vehicle to running condition.

Steve

Thank you.

hey guys, first of all, i want to thank you all - i've been fixing up my dad's 97 f150 and it seems that every problem i've had online has come back to these forums, so i figured it was time to register.

with regards to the tr relay problem, i'm curious - you said that it is a common problem to fail in park and only start in neutral - my problem is that it will *start* in park, but i can't change gears, but if i start in neutral, i can shift gears just fine.

would this still be applicable?

Click, read, fix.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/se...archid=4844201

Check brake lamps to see if they are all working.

Blown stop lamps or blown fuse for the stop lamps is the common cause of not being able to shift out of park once started.

Shift interlock I do believe is the same circuit on this MY.