QuestionQUESTION: 91 Caddy Seville 117k mi 4.9 console shift Solid, good running car lately having troublesome run and start problem. After the car has been off for some hours or overnight, it will start easily with all accessories functioning well. At random times, engine will kill when one moves shift lever position. it could be from Park to Reverse, Reverse to Drive, Drive to Neutral, etc. When this occurs, it will likely not restart. Turning the key to Run and tart positions yields nothing. Lights, windows, seats still work. Stereo, backup lights (shifter in R), instrument panel warning lights and start system are dead. When it stays running, you are free to cruise quite normally - everything functions OK. You take a chance on trouble when you want to change trans position. Neutral safety switch was replaced, all symptoms exactly the same. No check engine light or system warning (other than "Change Oil Soon". When it fails to restart, attempting to restart after a few hours has worked so we have been able to move the car.
ANSWER: Hello,
I will tell right now this is not an anti-theft system problem, nor was it a nuetral switch problem.
Every time you shift, you are disconnecting something.
Where to look: remove the top console plate and make sure the shift is not hitting a harness. If all clear, thiis is where you must go-
remove the black hush panel under the dash, under the column.
Towards the end of the column, you will see an arm with a cable attached. Each time you shift, that arm on the steering column moves. It appears that arm is pulling on a wiring harness going to the electrical ignition switch.
Look real good and you should find your problem.
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QUESTION: Hello Mr. Painter,
Thanks very much for the info on my Seville question. Iv'e put a little time into it and since our last exchange, the car won't start at all lately whereas brfore if it was left alone for a few hours or overnight, it would start with no problem. The console is opened and all wiring is clear of any moving parts.
Another question - there is an arc shaped black molded enclosure attached to the right side of the shifter assembly - what is its purpose? My reference book shows it in illustrations for shifter service but do not name or explain.
I have removed panels from under the dash to expose wiring and steering column and traced the cable refered to in your reply. It runs from the console, under dash, along column up toward the ign switch enclosure. I'll need to drop the column for access when I return to the job. Right now, I can only see the end of the cable on the top side of the column which moves with the shifter.
What is the procedure to test Seville's ign switch? My reference books explain how to replace it only.
Thanks again for the help. The AllExpert site is a great idea.
Regards,
Bob Blume
AnswerHello,
Please do not be like the last guy that jumped on me for this that wanted totally free information and I am sure you are fine. I use a site that cost $25 for membership for the first car and the value of the information is priceless. You are dealing with factory manuals, diagnoses, blow ups on parts, it is really something. As I said, I use this info when examining a vehicle. I get no money for plugging it. http://www.alldata.com. Scroll for your exact year make and model and you get the info downloaded for a year.
The last time I recommended this site, the jerk actually said this is supposed to be a free site and he expected me to download the info for his car, study it for hours and then give him free advice.
I do not get compensated for my time or my answers. I enjoy helping people, but that guy was way out of line.
Check the site out, it will answer all your questions and help you with other fixes on the car.
