Intermitent starting problems. Battery ok, cables replaces. is there a neutral safety switch, or shift lever safety?

we can not see you shift.
PRNDL , car will crank in N and P, both.
park lockout is safety feature.
all fuses good.
battery charged (under hood)'
brake lamps most work.
sure likeage can fail for sure. they told you the truth.
park lock out locks it in to park
and can not be shift out until brake applied and brakes glow. rear (brake fuse not blown)
then if did shift out of park and not lever is dead
that means the linkages is bad.\

NO it will start in Neutral. all cars do but the most rare of odd honda's
fly past neutral means cable is broke me but cant feel your shifter lever.
the shifter has 2 ends of linkages, top side and under car. to trans.

removing the PRNDL switch means engine can never crank again, P/N now dead.
my guess is this is cave man simple bad linkage.
a simple lever device, and link

It should start in neutral position. Neutral safety switch is usually located under the shift console by the shift lever.

You need to replace and adjust your transmission range sensor switch. (also known as neutral safety switch) It is located under the air cleaner ducting on the top of the transmission under the lever where the shifter cable attaches.

If you have the C5 trans, here is the info:

C5 Transmission

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
   
2. Raise and support the vehicle safely.
   
3. Remove the downshift linkage rod from the transmission downshift lever.
   
4. Apply rust penetrant to the outer lever attaching nut to prevent breaking the inner lever shaft. Remove the transmission downshift outer lever attaching nut and lever.
   
5. Remove the two neutral start switch retaining bolts.
   
6. Disconnect the multiple wire connector.
   
7. Remove the neutral start switch from the transmission.
   

To install:

1. Install the neutral start switch on the transmission. Install the two retaining bolts.
   
2. Adjust the neutral safety switch following the above procedure.
   
3. Install the outer downshift lever and retaining nut, and tighten the nut. Install the downshift linkage rod with the retaining clips.
   
4. Connect the wire multiple connector. Check the operation of the switch. The engine should start only with the transmission selector lever in N or P.
   

If it is the:
C3 And A4ld Transmissions
It's on the transmission....


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Neutral start switch and its location on the C3 and A4LD transmissions

It could be a bad ignition switch or bad starter wire from the starter switch, or the PNP is not adjusted correctly:

Here are instructions on how to remove and replace the PNP, but read over it to understand how to adjust:
Park/Neutral Safety Switch REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ES300 1993-94 Models

1. With the ignition switch in the LOCK position, disconnect the negative battery terminal. If equipped with an air bag system, wait at least 90 seconds or longer before performing any other work.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
3. Disconnect the Park/Neutral switch connector.
4. Remove the clip from the shift control cable.
5. Remove the nut and control cable.
6. Remove the bolts and pull out the Park/Neutral switch. To install:
   
7. Install the Park/Neutral switch and loosely install the bolts.
8. Adjust the switch and torque the bolts to 48 inch lbs. (5 Nm).
9. Install the control shaft lever.
10. Install the control shaft cable and torque the nut to 9 ft. lbs. (13 Nm). Fig. 1: The transaxle control shaft lever has a nut and washer to retain it - 1993-94 ES300
    Fig. 2: Removing the Park/Neutral switch - 1993-94 ES300
    
    
11. Install the clip to the shift control cable.
12. Lower the vehicle.
13. Connect the negative battery cable.
14. Make sure the vehicle will start only in the PARK or NEUTRAL position.

1995-97 Models Fig. 3: Aligning the neutral base line and groove - 1995-97 ES300
Fig. 4: Park/Neutral switch removal and installation - GS300, LS400, SC300 and SC400
Fig. 5: Park/Neutral switch adjustment - GS300, LS400, SC300 and SC400

1. With the ignition switch OFF, disconnect the battery cables, negative terminal first. Allow 90 seconds to elapse before performing any other work.
2. Apply the parking brake fully and block the rear wheels.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the Park/Neutral position switch.
4. Remove the locknut and disconnect the control cable from the manual shift lever.
5. Remove the clip from the holding the control cable to the bracket.
6. Remove the nut, washer and the manual shift lever from the manual valve shaft.
7. Using a flat bladed tool, bend the lock washer back away from the nut.
8. Remove the nut and lock washer from the Park/Neutral switch.
9. Remove the two bolts and the Park/Neutral position switch. To install:
   
10. Install the Park/Neutral position switch to the manual valve shaft. Leave the two bolts loose at this time.
11. Install the lock washer and nut. Torque the nut to 61 inch lbs. (7 Nm).
12. Using a flat bladed tool, bend the lock washer over the nut to secure the nut in place.
13. Adjust the Park/Neutral as follows:
    1. Install the manual shift lever to the Park/Neutral switch and set the shift lever to the neutral ( N) position.
    2. Align the groove and the neutral basic line on the Park/Neutral switch.
    3. Hold the Park/Neutral switch in this position and tighten the two bolts to 48 inch lbs. (5 Nm).
14. Install the manual shift lever with washer and nut.
15. Install the control cable to the manual shift lever and install the nut. Torque the nut to 11 ft. lbs. (15 Nm).
16. Install the control cable to the bracket by installing the clip.
17. Connect the electrical connector to the Park/Neutral switch.
18. Lower the vehicle and check the vehicles shifting positions.
19. Connect the negative battery cable to the battery.
20. Verify that the vehicle only starts in PARK or NEUTRAL.

GS300, LS400, SC300 and SC400

1. With the ignition switch OFF, disconnect the battery cables, negative terminal first. Allow 90 seconds to elapse before performing any other work.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
3. If necessary, remove the front exhaust pipe.
4. Disconnect the neutral start switch connector.
5. Remove the control shaft shift lever.
6. Pry off the washer and remove the nut.
7. Remove the bolt and pull out the neutral start switch. To install:
   
8. Install the Park/Neutral switch and loosely install the bolt.
9. Adjust the switch as follows:
   1. Loosen the neutral start switch bolt and place the shift lever in the N position.
   2. Align the groove and the neutral basic line.
   3. Hold in position and tighten the bolt to 9 ft. lbs. (13 Nm).
10. Install the nut and washer.
11. Install the control shaft shift lever.
12. Connect the electrical connector.
13. Install the front exhaust pipe. Torque the front nuts to 46 ft. lbs. (62 Nm). Torque the pipe support bracket to bolts to 32 ft. lbs. (43 Nm). Torque the No. 2 front exhaust pipe to the front exhaust pipe bolts to 32 ft. lbs. (43 Nm).
14. Lower the vehicle.
15. Connect the negative battery cable to the battery.
16. Verify that the vehicle will only start in the N or P positions.

---
Maybe try to press the brake pedal and run the gear shift throughout the full range of gears while the car is on level ground, and retry the starter to see if there is a faulty PNP adjustment.

Try to start in Neutral not Park, and jiggle the gear shift back and forth to see if the PNP is not adjusted right.

Good luck on this repair.

Your safety interlock switch is going out or is not adjusted properly. There is a procedure for adjusting the switch. The switch is on the transmission in the engine compartment. If you want to adjust the switch, loosen the botls holding the switch and follow steps 7-8 below. Else, you can just replace the switch entirely by following all steps.

The neutral start and backup switch are one unit mounted on the top left end of the transaxle. The neutral start portion of the switch allows electrical current to travel to the ignition system when the shift selector is in park or neutral only. The vehicle will not start when the selector is in any other gear. The backup portion operates the rear backup lamps when selector is in the reverse gear.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION See Figures 1 and 2

1. Make sure the shift selector in the Park position, then apply the emergency brake.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Disengage the neutral start switch electrical connector, then remove the shift control lever on top of the switch.
4. Remove the two neutral switch attaching bolts, then remove the switch.

Fig. Fig. 1: Neutral safety switch location-vehicles equipped with automatic transaxle

Fig. Fig. 2: Adjusting the neutral safety switch

To install:

1. Install the switch on the manual shaft.
2. Loosely install the two attaching bolts and washers.
3. Insert a No. 43 drill (0.089 in.) through the hole.
4. Tighten the attaching bolts to 7-9 ft. lbs. (9-12 Nm), then remove the drill.
5. Engage the switch electrical connector, then connect the negative battery cable.

It could be the neutral start safety switch but move the shift lever up and down and try starting it.If not the cancel the switch and check if still not. could be a security or a bad crank sensor.before replacing check for and dtc avaible. If there r any do quote.

Test the neutral switch.

===

Foot on brake

MOVE SHIFTER BACK FROM PARK AND NEUTRAL 10-20 times. This will re-new the metal contacts.

Shift to netural "N"

Start engine

Put lever back to Park "P" to warm up the truck.

====

If it start from neutral and not park then you will need a neutral safety switch.


Please rate my answer if it's helpful to you.

Cheers,

MUSTGO

It's sounds like the neutral safety switch is bad. When you turn the key to start the power goes from the ignition switch, to the neutral safety switch then, to the starter solenoid. When you say starting problem I'm assuming it won't even crank over. The car should also start in the "Neutral" position, there is an adjustment on that switch to, it may just be out of adjustment. If it cranks over but won't start then I don't see how the neutral safety could be the problem. The neutral safety switch is right on top of the transmission directly under the master cylinder for the brakes. You should be able to see where the shift cable connects to the transmission.

Neutral Safety/Back-up Light Switch

This is a combination switch which controls both Neutral Safety and Back-up lamp circuits.

C6 Transmission



C6 neutral start switch

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle on jackstands.
3. Remove the downshift linkage rod return spring at the low-reverse servo cover.
4. Coat the outer lever attaching nut with penetrating oil. Remove the nut and lever.
5. Remove the 2 switch attaching bolts, disconnect the wiring at the connectors and remove the switch.
6. Installation is the reverse of removal. Adjust the switch and tighten the bolts to 55-75 inch lbs. (6.2-8.5 Nm).
7. Remove the jackstands and lower the vehicle.
8. Connect the negative battery cable.

AOD Transmission



Removing the AOD neutral start switch

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle on jackstands.
3. Disconnect the wiring from the switch.
4. Using a deep socket, unscrew the switch.
5. Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten the switch to 10 ft. lbs. (14 Nm).
6. Remove the jackstands and lower the vehicle.
7. Connect the negative battery cable.

4R70W Transmission




Removing the Manual Lever Position (MLP) sensor

As of 1994, the neutral safety switch is referred to as a Manual Lever Position Sensor (MLP).

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle on jackstands.
3. Disengage the harness connector from the MLP sensor.
4. Remove the 2 sensor attaching bolts and remove the sensor.

To install:

1. Install the MLP sensor and install retaining bolts. Do not tighten, the sensor requires adjustment.
2. Adjust the MLP sensor then tighten attaching screws to 80-100 inch lbs. (9-11 Nm).
3. Remove the jackstands and lower the vehicle.
4. Connect the negative battery cable.

ADJUSTMENT

C6 Transmission

1. Hold the steering column transmission selector lever against the Neutral stop.
2. Move the sliding block assembly on the neutral switch to the Neutral position and insert a 0.091 in. (2.3mm) gauge pin in the alignment hole on the terminal side of the switch.
3. Move the switch assembly housing so that the sliding block contacts the actuating pin lever. Secure the switch to the outer tube of the steering column and remove the gauge pin.
4. Check the operation of the switch. The engine should only start in Neutral and Park .

4R70W Transmission




Adjusting the MLP sensor

Park is the last detent when the manual control lever is full forward. Return 2 detents toward the output shaft for Neutral.

1. Position the manual control lever in Neutral .
2. Insert Gear Position Sensor Adjuster tool T93P-700 10-A or equivalent, into the slots.
3. Align all 3 slots on the MLP sensor with 3 tabs on the tool.
4. Tighten the attaching screws to 80-100 inch lbs. (9-11 Nm).

I hope help you. Good luck (rated this help).