97 Maxda Protege starter engages automaticly in park or neutral with key in ON position

Car will not start how ? A crank- no - start or a no crank - no - start < meaning when you turn the key to the start position does anything happen ? Starter engages an spins the engine an doesn't start an run ! Or when you turn the key to start the position nothing happens ? Who told you it was a fuse ? Are there any light's lit on the instrument cluster , SECURITY ? If Nothing happens Find the starter relay an jump pin's 30 & 87 , if nothing is wrong with starter , battery , battery cables it should spin the engine . Is your vehicle automatic transmission or stick ? Automatic has a neutral safety switch , won't let vehicle engine spin unless in park or neutral . Manual has clutch switch , won't let starter engage unless the clutch pedal is pressed . Both of these switches can go bad . There are videos on youtube on basic electrical trouble shooting . Also on testing starter circuit . How to voltage drop test starter motor circuit

Dirty battery posts...(loose) or locked starter...sometimes you can tap the starter with a hammer to make it work one time to confirm...Hope this helps.

I am assuming that this is a four cylinder automatic--- There is a neutral safety switch on your automatic shifter- Make sure that your shifter is all the way into park , You can unlock your shifter with your key or some like object, take it to neutral and then back to park!
2. check your starter connection to the battery, if loose or corroded clean and tighten. I don't know what level of mechanical you are but at this point take a screwdriver and cross the posts, it will spark so don't freak out. If your connection is good it should turn the engine if it does not engage or at least try then it could be a starter solenoid or if it clicks could be a starter. Now if you do this with the key on, the car might start, again don't freak out!!
3. Now there are also fuses in the starting system check you fuses
4. The worst case scenario would be a locked-up engine. Have you or do you know if the timing belt has been changed? If it broke, it could have taken out the top end of the engine ( valves, rods , cam , possible even the rods! like I said this is the worse case scenario! Hope this helps

Test/Service/Replace

The circuit on newer cars with automatic transmissions has a neutral safety, or neutral start switch installed between the ignition switch and the starter. The ignition switch cannot operate the starter motor unless the transmission is in park or neutral.
Late model vehicles with manual transmissions have a starter/clutch interlock switch that requires the clutch to be depressed to the floor.
Neutral Safety Switch
Normal operations of a neutral safety switch provides a quick check for the adjustment of the gear selector linkage.

• To do this, move the selector slowly until it clicks into the PARK position.
• Turn the ignition key to the START position.
• If the starter operates, the PARK position is correct.
• After checking the PARK position, move the lever slowly toward the NEUTRAL position until the lever drops at the end of the NEUTRAL stop in the selector gate.
• If the starter also operates at this point, the gearshift linkage is properly adjusted.
• This quick test also tests the adjustment of the neutral safety switch.
• If the engine does not start in either or both of these positions, the neutral safety switch or the gear selector linkage needs adjustment or repair.

CAUTION
Since you must work under the vehicle to adjust most shift linkages make sure you properly raise and support the vehicle before working under it. Also, wear safety glasses or goggles while working under the vehicle.
A voltmeter can be used to check the switch for voltage when the ignition key is turned to the START position with the shift lever in PARK or NEUTRAL. If there is no voltage, the switch should be adjusted or replaced.

sounds like the bendix drive in the starter is broken,
replace starter

ask the car mechanic expert

Help please....I have Mazda Protege 2002...the car was driving good..and suddenly the car didn't start at all i changed the starter the battery is fine because when i start the car the lights comes on and the radio works. I don't know what is the problem is...when i start the car it makes noise of tik tik. Please help me????

Same thing happened to my 97 it was the saftey switch!

Hi and welcome to FixYa,

To my knowledge, you assumption is correct on most designs. That wire should go to the ignition switch and will be hot when key is in START. However, same wire often would be connected first to a relay that is interlocked with some conditions/status other then key to START. They would be:

• automatic transmission should be in neutral/park with light indicated;
• alarm/security/immobilizer is inactive/OFF.

Good luck and Thank you for using FixYa. Happy Holidays.

Hi mdntcowboy

I'm Dave

When you turn the key to the start position do you hear the click of the starter solenoid?

If you do either your starter is faulty or you do not have enough voltage to power the starter. Your lights do not need much voltage nor the solenoid however the starter requires 12.5 volts to start properly. If you do not hear the click check to see if the car is in park properly. The vehicle will not start if the car is not properly in park or neutral...try it in neutral. Check the starter relay, ignition switch, park/neutral start switch.