Won't start in Park.

[bwells]

Well, my '71 won't start in park at all, and occasionally it won't start in Neutral either.  I checked the little switch in the tranny, and it reads open in park, and shorted in neutral, so I'm assuming the switch is bad.  But when I bought the car, the guy that I got it from said he thought it was because he had replaced the ignition.  Could this possibly be the problem, or do I just need a new switch?  And where can I go to find a new one?  Any help would be great. 

Bryan

[bOb shingler]

sounds like it's bad to me too. you can buy them new. have you tried to adjust the shift linkage a little?

[PlymanNos]

The shift linkage is probably the problem but, for the price of a new switch (less than $10) while you have the car in the air go ahead and change it out. This is a simple switch, it is either open or shut so check the linkage no matter what.

Bill,

[moparrr07]

yup its the nuetrol safty switch, mine i sometimes have to drop it into out of park to get it to turn over

[thebankerstoy]

Year One sells the neutral safetl switch. along with most other Mopar vendors. The Year One part number is as follows.

NG6562 - 3 pin connector,  neutral safety switch / back up light switch switch, for cars with automatic transmissions built sfter 5-16-1968. Includes the mounting gasket. List price as of the time my catalog was issued is $17.50 plus shipping

For you folks with 4 speed cars, they also have the back-up light switch for you.

P art #FD21949 for the switch. List price at time of catalog issue is $15.40
Part #FD8242 for the mounting gasket. List price at time of catalog issue is $2.00

Richard   

[bwells]

I finally had some more time time to play with it a little, and the switch seems fine now that I played with the shift linkage a little bit.  But it still won't start in park.  It starts in Neutral most of the time, but I have to push the key in pretty hard, and sometimes it just won't start at all, so I ordered a new switch to put in.  My new problem is that I can't figure out how to get the old switch out.  I took the steering wheel off and got it taken apart down the turn signals, but I can't get to the switch itself.  My Hayne's said that there should be a lever to hold down, and the switch should slide right out, but I haven't been able to find it.  Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks,
  Bryan

[Jim_Lusk]

If the nuetral safety switch works in one position and not another, then the linkage needs adjusting. It is very UNLIKELY to be a bad switch.

I'm not sure about getting the ignition switch out of your car, but on my 79 Power Wagon you have to remove the steering wheel lock lever.

[thebankerstoy]

I assume that this is a 71 Dart that we are talking about right? If so, it should be very similar to my son's 72 Dart Swinger, which has a steering lock plate located in the steering column, that MUST be removed BEFORE you can get to the ignitiuon switch and ignition switch wiring harness. Getting this lock plate out is a PAIN IN THE A$$ unless you buy the following tool from Year One like I did. It is specially made to remove this lock plate and it will save your sanity and be the BEST $25.00 that you will ever spend! 

Part #T59 - Steering Wheel Lock Plate Remover and Installer Tool - $24.95 (as of the date my Year One catalog was printed)

Year One Inc.
Phone: 1-800-932-7663
Website: www.yearone.com