I have a 2001 (6 cyl auto) that just had its 90,000 check-up, a full tune up (plugs, wires, coil) and idle air control valve replaced. The day i bring it home it won't start when in park. When I turn the key no cranking sound at all. Move shifter back and forth between park and neutral and it started right up. Sometimes will start in Park, so intermittant problem. Took it back to dealer says it might be the neutral safety switch, but it started fine for him, so maybe not. Says all wires and grounds are tight, battery is fine. Any ideas?? He wants me to leave it with himn for a couple of days so he can try a cold start and see if starts or not. Is this best approach?

 

Try it in N instead of P. If that works reliably, then replace the DTR sensor.

Steve

 

I agree with Steve. A lot of *cars* I've seen with floor shifters have similar issues to this where you have to mess with the shifter to get it into Park. If I were a betting man, my money'd be on that sensor

 

I have to start mine in between N and D because the tranny shop bent the rod that goes from the gear selector to the transmission.

 

Thanks for the tips, so far.

So all weekend long the truck started right up, every time. If a part was bad, I'd think the problem would be getting worse not going away-yeah, like that ever happens.

Steve, when it failed to start one time it did not start immediately in P or N, until I shifted back and forth between the 2 a couple of time, then started in P.

I have a front bench, so the shifter is on the column, if that matters.
Tony