One week ago I had the ignition refurbished and it worked well. This am the key did not engage the starter but came out of PARK mode after slight delay. Battery seems drained. Connected +ve to terminal port with good Earth but starter does not engage. If lights was left on does it not go in sleep mode after 30min to conserve battery power? Should I leave it connected to an idling donor car or just disconnect the battery and have it charged?

you have a short in the system get a multi meter to test circuit

sounds like a problem with the ignition cylinder and or ignition switch, not returning when you let go of the key. Is this an automatic or standard vehicle?

the clicking noise is usually 2 things, step on try jump starting car and if starts have battery tested as it is probably bad (free testing at most chain auto stores), the other usual problem is that the starter has gone bad, when whoever tried turning off car while driving might have put into start mode and burnt out the starter when it engaged at high speed.

You've pretty much answered your own question, although I doubt it's demons...LOL. Ign switch, nuetral safety or park switch, shorted starter, could be chaffed wiring. If your in the ON position and the starter engages, I'd be looking at the ign wire from the switch to the starter solenoid and or relay. Your car is 20 years old so anything is possible at this point. Your best bet is to go to ALLDATA>COM and buy the wiring schematics for your car grab a DVM and start checking your circuits.

Sounds like it may be related to the 'neutral safety switch'. When you turn the key to start the engine, current goes from the ignition switch through the neutral safety switch to the starter relay, then on to the starter. Some cars have a shift linkage adjustment to make sure the trans is fully into park; mal-adjustment could cause what you describe. Anyway, start diagnosis at neutral switch and proceed to starter relay. Don't forget to check starter power feed wiring for loose/corroded connections. I've seen many cars exhibit this condition after being driven in heavy rain, etc., and in most cases, the battery wire on the starter, or the ignition trigger connection had become corroded enough that contact was lost, sometimes intermittently. It is important when checking these to actually disconnect these wires and look for corrosion, etc. especially the spade terminal for the trigger wire(be sure to disconnect battery before using tools on the starter battery wire)

sounds like the starter has a flat spot on the solenoid. remove and test the starter, replace if necessary.

sounds like your shift lever for trans isnt making a tight connection when you put it in park....try shifting it in and out of park several times while trying to remove key......my lincoln does that occasionally and when i take it out of park and then back in it works......just a thought

It could either be a BAD starter or a BAD ignition they both would have the same symptoms of a "CLICK" alone. I would most likely lean toward the ignition because the key is difficult to turn but its not all ways true that key is tight because the ignition is bad, although possible. It could just mean a bad ignition cylinder(just the key part why its tight) I want you to do a test for me. With clutch engaged turn key to start position and listen for click on starter in the hood, when trying to start. If you hear starter click then the ignition switch is good. (Before you do this make sure that battery is FULLY CHARGED).STARTER IS AT FAULT. IF no clicking is heard coming from starter check starter fuse and if its good YOU have a BAD ignition switch. Contact if you need more hep and Thanks for using FIX YA

sounds like the return spring is worn or dislodged

Do you have a Chip in the Key? if so that Could be the Problem,Ya see the chip is a resistor and if it looses its ELECTRONIC VALUE in its Case Resistance it wont start to test this Turn the Key in the ON posission then do the Screwdriver thing If it Starts Key is Good and Most Likely the Ignition (SWITCH) is Bad <<ELECTRICAL Side NOY LOCKEST SIDE For More Info Recontact Me
[email protected]<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<