Nissan Repair: 05 Nissan altima 2.5 automatic transmision front end collison, mass airflow sensor, neutral safety switch

Question
QUESTION: Please help!! This is kinda detailed.. but i need to borrow your brain

I was involved in a front end wreck which was not major but not good and never shut it off before driving about 2 miles home before putting in park and turning the car off (I know! stupid!!). The RPMs where high on the drive home but i was easy on it..!!

Notebale damage is.
1) the radiator brace is pushed in slightly (fluid level is good and the radiaot is only kinked where bracket is on driver side)
2) The sub frame is bent where it ties into the front driver tire
3) Air bag on driver side deployed

Now the shift is locked in drive (i can hear a click when i move the shifter left to right which i think is the shift solenoid)and the car wont turn over.

Could i have knocked the starter off and the shift is locked becuse it got jolted a lil bit?

Or could i have burnt the engine up driving home with high rpm's and the above is a sign the engine is locked? When the air bags go off is that a safty feature to have those problems? if so wat is the best way to spin the crank pully on a jap side monted motor or is there another way to know for sure?

I know you wont be able to tell me exactly since you can not see the damage driving home after the wreck even make a connection with engine lock which i have no proof of that yet but any trouble shooting info will help!! i dont have insurance and i dont want to scamed somewhere. If it to hard to tell i appreciate the time.


Thanks alot

ANSWER: Ricky,

If the fluids were good and the radiator did not pop means you probably did not hurt the engine.  The high RPMs could be a result of the mass airflow sensor being knocked loose from the wreck or the hose being cracked or it came off.  The shift thing is probably due to the shifter linkage and the neutral safety switch being up front on the driver's side being damaged from the wreck.  If you open the hood and look down, just past the radiator, on the drivers side you should see where the shifter cable connects and the electrical connector that prevents the car starting in gear.  If this is damaged it will have to be repaired before you drive the car.  Also, find the vacuum leak and correct it for the RPMs to come down.  Email me back and let me know what you find.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks alot,

I might have sounded like a know a little about cars but im a oilfield guy and applied that knowledge with a lil intrnet to sound smart... now im going dumb on you

Radiator
yes there are some loose wires hanging at bottom of radiator (I was hopping it was that). That makes me feel better. How do i know if i popped the radiator? Im taking a guess.. there would be no fluid left in resivor? (Thats a serious question)

High RPM
Your saying a connection or tube is broke somewhere and it is sucking alot of air instead of being restricted? How do you find or verify a vacume leak? The intake or big plastic part on driver side got knocked loose.... any relation?

Any ideas on it not turning over?

Thanks

Answer
Ricky,

The intake hose is that big black plastic thing.  That would need to be reconnected for the engine to turn over.  If the vehicle had the shifter plug damaged it is the neutral safety switch as well and if damaged the vehicle will not start.  You could connect a length of wire from the positive terminal to the small connector on the starter to see if the engine turns over.  If so, check the shifter plug on the transmission.  It is the one on the transmission where the shifter cable connects.  Otherwise, the fuse link at the positive battery terminal or ignition fuse is blown.