While not an F150, at least it's a Ford. My boss has a '99 F350 crew/long 4x4 7.3L auto. Often, the we have to bypass the starter solenoid with a screwdriver to get it started while in park. Recently, because of another problem, we found out that it starts just fine in neutral. My boss has had me replace the starter solenoid (a few times) and the glow plug solenoid (once) so I'm pretty sure they're fine.

Anybody know why it would start in neutral and not park?

 

Simple... he's not putting it all the way in park. Happened to me before.

 

Do a search for the neutral switch for that YM truck. It is either out of adjustment or needs replacing. Probably just an adjustment.

 

Thanks, guys! Would that adjustment and that switch be in the column? (My current f150 is my first automatic and it has a console shifter.)

 

Well done, fellas! I noticed that when the truck wouldn't start in park I can pull up on the lever (with my left hand) and it starts.

So I unpacked my Chilton book tonight. Looks like it's called the Transmission Range Sensor. Zaairman, is that what you adjusted and/or replaced when you weren't going into park? Or did you actually change where the shift lever mounts on its shaft.

 

I didn't adjust anything...other than put it in park all the way. :o