Starting problems

[jb73Mach]

Came out this morning and the key won't engage the starter. Jumped the solenoid and it cranks. With the key in the start position, I'm only getting a little over 6 volts to the solenoid. Is this an issue with the ignition switch? I assume it is not the neutral safety switch if I am getting any voltage at the solenoid?

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[woodsnake]

How much voltage at the battery? Is it fully charged, or is your alternator potentially weak?

 

[jb73Mach]

Well over 12 at the battery. No dimming of headlight or interior lights when turned to the crank position.


I guess it is down to ignition switch or neutral safety switch. If I put the key in the run position and jump the battery side of the solenoid to the ignition tab, it fires right up. Apparently there is no voltage getting to the solenoid - so either ignition switch or neutral safety switch?

 

[73vertproject]

Sounds like ignition switch from here.

 

[midlife]

NSS normally only is used to initiate cranking. Once the engine is running, the Start wire at the starter solenoid is ignored; if it is excited the starter motor would engage while the engine is running and you would know that. It is not the source of low voltage at the coil.

Sometimes the NSS gets out of alignment, so jiggling the shifter while the key is in CRANK may be of value in diagnosis. You can also attempt to start the car in neutral.

 

[jb73Mach]

I've had occasional problems with the neutral safety switch in the past. It was when the shifter was not aggressively put into Park. The shifter was so sloppy that I couldn't really check the adjustments. I pulled the shifter out and the bushings were destroyed. Ordered a pair today and will start there. Here's to hoping that it is the cheap mechanical problem.

 

[jb73Mach]

Resolved - not sure exactly how. I pulled the shifter and replaced the bushings - kind of like giving it some of the little blue pill. Nice and stiff. Replaced the bushings in the shifter linkages with home made plastic inserts to take out all of the slop there. Adjusted the column lock so that it would not go out of park unless the key was turned. Adjusted the shifter linkage so that neutral was neutral. Adjusted the neutral safety switch (couldn't believe that Brown's Hardware had a #43 drill bit). Tightened everything up, nothing. Checked and readjusted everything several times. No luck. Was ready to jump around the neutral safety switch but give it one more try with adjustments. I turned the key and it turned over just fine. Even the reverse lights work in reverse. Others have said in the past that there is not much leeway in the adjustments - 100% true.

 

[1973stang]

I had similar problem....and it would creep up sometimes. Turns out it was loose/corroded battery connection.

Cleaned the wire and connection...put some contact grease before connecting.....NO MORE PROBLEMS. (4-5 months now)

The previous owner mentioned same issues about Park switch etc.