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Must jiggle gear shift to start car


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markd
New User

Jun 5, 2018, 10:12 AM

Post #1 of 7 (4883 views)
Must jiggle gear shift to start car Sign In

Usually my old vehicle will start right up, but occasionally--more often, lately--I turn the key and absolutely nothing--no click, no crank, nothing. I then turn the key off, jiggle or tap the gearshift (on the column) and then turn the key and it starts fine. I assume something is loose or wearing out in the column but would like to know what it is and about how much it would cost to fix it permanently. I worry that eventually my "fix" will no longer work when I least expect it.
02 Chrysler Voyager, 4 cylinder, 170K miles.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jun 5, 2018, 10:20 AM

Post #2 of 7 (4876 views)
Re: Must jiggle gear shift to start car Sign In

Really can't give you a rough estimate without actually knowing what is causing the gear shifter to be out of alignment. Someone is going to have to visually inspect the linkage, cable, and ect. Contact some of the local shops in your area and ask how much it would cost to have a look at it.





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markd
New User

Jun 5, 2018, 11:05 AM

Post #3 of 7 (4871 views)
Re: Must jiggle gear shift to start car Sign In

So your theory is that the car is not actually in Park and therefore won't start? And the jiggling puts it in Park.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jun 5, 2018, 12:01 PM

Post #4 of 7 (4867 views)
Re: Must jiggle gear shift to start car Sign In

You might be able to watch (engine off key just slightly towards start) and shift if (block wheels) and see if the dang shifter moves then by hand you can move it more towards "Park" for looseness. This should also start it "N" but have foot on the brake suggests loose shifting parts doesn't know where it is. No vehicle is supposed to start/crank in reverse or a forward gear as sensed by a simple switch that might be at brake pedal or a Mopar inside trans you wont like,


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jun 5, 2018, 1:24 PM

Post #5 of 7 (4859 views)
Re: Must jiggle gear shift to start car Sign In


Quote
So your theory is that the car is not actually in Park and therefore won't start?


Not exactly. It may be in park but the linkage has too much play to close the electrical switch that signals it is in Park.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



markd
New User

Jun 5, 2018, 1:39 PM

Post #6 of 7 (4855 views)
Re: Must jiggle gear shift to start car Sign In

Thanks. Makes sense.
Is that something that is in the steering column, or down in the tranny? In other words, how much hassle is it to fix?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jun 5, 2018, 1:42 PM

Post #7 of 7 (4852 views)
Re: Must jiggle gear shift to start car Sign In

DS already addressed that.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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