I get up to go to class this morning turn the ignition and nothing....no sound, nothing. I put the car in neutral and the engine started just like it normally does.

After class the car started just as it would any other day. About 2 hours later i left my townhouse for my second class and the engine wouldnt start once again. I put the car in neutral and it started easily again.

WHAT is the problem? Battery? I had my started replaced in July.

thanks

 

this is an auto transmission, right?

i have seen a problem like that in my old 1990 maxima (it happened twice), and i saw it happen on my cousins camry. it seems that sometimes the computer doesn't think that you have the car in the correct gear; i.e. you may have shifted to park when you stopped, but the car thinks the gear is still one of the drive gears, and so it wont let you start the car. then when you shift to neutral, it detects that, and then the car starts OK. it only happened twice in my maxima, and i couldnt determine the conditions that make it happen.

i dont know how to fix that, there must be some gear selector detector/switch that may be going bad.

maybe someone with more knowledge (see Daniel Martin) can answer your question with more detail.


tommy

 

yes, it is a 96 Automatic

 

Your battery is okay. The problem is most likely with the Park/Neutral Position switch. This switch is part of the safety mechanism which prevents the engine from cranking unless the transmission is in Park or Neutral. It is mounted on the outside of the transaxle case, on the side nearest the radiator.

Your PNP switch may require replacement or adjustment. This job can be done by the home mechanic. For instructions see Chilton (page 7-13) or Haynes (page 7B-7).