I have a 2000 SE with about 90,000 miles (automatic). I've had this issue for sometime but lately its gotten way worse.

Car sometimes wont start in park. All the lights come on but no start. So what I usually do is drop into neutral and it starts up. As far as I see, its very random; sometimes once a week, sometimes everyday. But I have noticed that its getting more common.

I'm completely clueless.

Any help, greatly appreciated.

 

You need to read the Service Manual on the adjustment procedure of the automatic transmission inhibitor switch. That's your problem for sure.

 

the inhibitor switch may be the same thing I'm thinking of, but in my 91 sentra, it was the nuetral safety switch. And the same exact thing happened all the time. May be the same as the previosly mentioned, just different name. Your car may think you are in gear when you are really in park. i went through 2 starters before my mech. sprayed wd40 on something for free and cured it. May be your prob too.

 

Yesterday it was giving me problems all day, today was perfectly normal. Just wierd.

 

This happened to me once, turned out there was some crud in the way so the thing went into Park but didnt activate the switch.

 

I looked in the service manual but didnt find anything. Where can I look up this infor?

 

Its on page 281 of the AT section in my manual. I dont think the problem is down there. however I would check the continuity of the neutral safety switch when you cant start your car. When this happens (you cant start your car) try putting it into neutral and then back into park. See if it starts now. I rebuilt a salvage car and I had this problem. When I cleaned and lubricated the shifter mechanism inside the car, it went away.

 

Yeah, he's probably right. Check the shifter to see if it completely in the PARK position.

Different car, but I had a friend once with a no start on a 94 Max. Turned out to be the 20oz. Mountain Dew in the cup holder not allowing the shifter to go into PARK completely.

 

Usually, if it wont start in park, i'll put it in Nuetral then if I put back in park it will start.