QuestionRoland,
Thank you for the information. The starter reliably will only start with
the gear selector in P or N. In addition to what I mentioned here are a
few other related symptoms. Gear selector in P, PRND3L position
indicators illuminated (Square around position lit up), Reverse lights
OFF; Gear selector in R, R position indicator illuminated, Reverse lights
ON; Gear selector in N, PRND3L position indicators illuminated, Reverse
lights OFF; Gear selector in D, D position indicator illuminated, Reverse
lights ON; Gear selector in 3, D position indicator illuminated, Reverse
lights OFF; Gear selector in L, D position indicator illuminated, Reverse
lights OFF. Occasionally I think the gear selector indicator lights work
correctly. But for the most part they behave as I mentioned. There have
been a couple instances where it also would not shift to Overdrive.
Also when the shif position indicator is not working and the gear selector
is in 3rd but the indicator lamps is indicating D the engine rpms behave
like the transmission is in fact in D or overdrive even though the
indicator is in 3.
Lastly when the trans is put into a gear i.e. D or R there is a moment
before the car starts to move that there is a sort of windup noise or
clicking coming from the transmission. This sound lasts about 2 seconds
or so and then goes away.
These may be related issues or not but first I would like to repair the
reverse lamps and gear selection indicator which seem as though they are
likely related.
As far as the windup noise maybe that is typical behavior.
AnswerHi Wendy,
It may be that the cable connecting the shift lever to the transmission shift rod needs a slight adjustment, at least based on the discepency between the lever position and the functioning of the transmission. It is simple so you could try it and at least eliminate that as a possible cause.
On level ground put the gear shift lever in park and remove key. Then open the hood and look for a cable that comes from the firewall to the front side of the transmission where there is vertical rod with a lever arm on the top of it to which the cable is attached. (If you don't see what I mean have a helper move the gear shift lever after putting the key in and opening the lock to allow movement. Then when you see what moves when helper moves the gear shift lever, that is what I am speaking of). Then put the shift lever back to P. Then loosen the screw on the place where the cable end attaches to the lever arm of the rod. That will allow you to rotate the lever independently of the cable end. Rotate the lever as far as possible toward the front of the van, which may not be too different from where it was already, but do it nonetheless. Then release the parking brake and rock the van back and forth to be sure you are in park. Then reset the parking brake. Then while maintaining the frontmost most position of the lever tighten the adjustment screw to to firmly reconnect the cable to the lever. Then recheck that it will only start in P or N. Then see if anything has changed about the back up lights or the way the indicators are showing or the trans is operating.
If not, then I would believe that there is a problem with the actual switch which is on the other end of the rod, down inside the box of the trans. That can be replaced but it does require a partial drain of the fluid and removal of the bottom pan of the trans. That should be done by a good independent trans shop or a dealer. But get their opinion first. I don't see any other explanation other than that the switch is messing up. The indicator lamps are dependent upon the four different parts of the switch that are what I have been calling the "switch" up to now. And their various connections is what lead to the proper lighting of the back up lamp and the indicator lights. So it seems logical to me that all the discrepencies you have with all the different lights are due to a malfunction of that switch (if not the adjustment that you will try, above).
Eureka! Now as regards the back up lights: I just discovered that I had overlooked a second switch on the transmission, called the "park/neutral safety switch". It is located at the rear corner of the same front side of the transmission at the lowest edge, kind of on a diagonally facing edge of that corner. It has a round black plug with three wires (violet/black, black/white and red/white). THAT is the switch for the back-up lights. You can get a new one from the dealer parts counter and replace it yourself. Lift the tab to release the plug. Then unscrew the old switch while holding a can under it to catch some trans fluid that will drain out. Then screw in the new one to about the same tension as you would a spark plug, but don't overdue it. Reconnect the plug and your back up light should be back to normal! Pour the collected fluid into the trans dipstick tube opening. Fix that switch first, then maybe try the adjustment I told you about.
Roland
PS Thanks for that kind evaluation and nomination earlier today.
