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Followup To
Question -
I have a 1989 Chevy Suburban with 107k. A week ago I went to start it and it did not turn over. I have plenty of power and I can hear a contact on my AC compressor clicking. After several attempts I shifted it to neutral and then back to park and it started. Now the next time I tried starting it I have the same problem and shifting back and forth is not helping. My battery charge is good and my dash lights and buzzers (etc.) work when the ignition is turned on. I have had no history of starting problems or electrical problems.
Answer -
You are describing the classic neutral start safety switch problem.
The switch, located at the base of the steering column (top side of the steering shaft housing, inside the passenger compartment), is designed to prevent the starter from engaging if the transmission is not in "Park" or "Neutral."
The switch sometimes slips out of adjustment or goes bad. The switch also controls the back-up lights on the vehicle. The following URL provides a photo of the switch: http://www.rockauto.com/ref/ACDelco/Detail.html?D2286A.jpg
Copy it into your browser, hit enter, and you should see it.
The switch is hard to reach and a new one requires adjustment to make it work correctly. If you like doing work on your vehicle and have the necessary tools, it is not as hard as replacing the ignition switch. If not, take the vehicle to a reputable shop.
I have replaced the switch and made adjustments. My truck is not starting. Before removing the old switch I noticed with the vehicle in reverse the reverse lights only came on for a moment. With the new switch in the reverse lights stay on while in reverse so I am thinking it was the old switch and I must be doing something wrong with the new one.
AnswerYou may need to work with the adjustment on the switch. Try moving it one way or the other a small amount and see if the starter will work.
I do not have a wiring diagram for anything past 1984, so I cannot tell you which wires to jump together and bypass the switch for the purpose of determining that it is an adjustment issue. Your description of the reverse light change does indicate that maybe the old switch was bad or at least out of adjustment.
It may also be easier to try to adjust the switch with the transmission in neutral. Set the parking brake and/or chock the wheels if you try to adjust it in neutral.
My 1984 shop manual calls out the use of a 0.096" diameter gage pin that is inserted into the switch with it off the column. The transmission selector is placed in neutral. The switch is then installed, followed by removal of the pin. The transmission is shifted out of neutral and then back in, and the gage pin is reinserted to make sure that the switch is adjusted correctly. 1/10th of an inch is a small amount of adjustment to set correctly, given the switch's location.
Note that this procedure may have changed for newer vehicles.
