Car Will Not Start Every Time!

[turbotom]

G'day all. I seem to recall reading about this issue quite a while back, but I couldn't find the threads when doing a search. It's a little frustrating that the T won't start every time I turn the key. It feels and acts like the interlock for the auto in (P)ark is not engaged. Is that all it is, or has someone found another source of this condition.

Its probably just co-incidental, but it has only just started after the car has been in for an oil change at the dealer. It was not a scheduled service, just an oil change and a bit of warranty work on interior seat side moulding.

The frustrating thing is the random intermittent nature of the problem.... I can't duplicate it on demand. Which is why I'm wondering if there might be another cause - possibly ECU related?.

Any :idea: ideas?

thanks in advance, tom

[Adam]

Have you tried starting it in 'N' after it doesn't fire in 'P'?

[hypnodoc]

Mate, it will most definately be in the ECU, it sounds like the same sort of initial thing you get on first start after disconnecting the battery for 10 miutes then trying a restart, mind and a mood all of their own these BA computers

[Guest]

Tom,had the same problem in the first week,found if you push the gear knob foward with a bit of pressure,problem solvid. It hasnt done it since.

vik

ps,your vet ready for feb 8th

[turbotom]

Tom,had the same problem in the first week,found if you push the gear knob foward with a bit of pressure,problem solvid. It hasnt done it since.

vik

ps,your vet ready for feb 8th

That's what I'd expect if it was a switch alignment issue, but I can NOT get it started by pushing the gear lever forward with a little more force.

I have to either start it in N, or at least pull the lever out of P and into D then back to P..... sometimes twice. Becoming a pain in the ar$e. (I know I should just take it in to the dealer, but it is a little bit of a hassle for me at the moment, and I'd like to get the "good oil" on the solution from this site so that all known possibilities can be checked out when I do take it in.

Any info from FORD techies?

Is the interlock on the BA auto a switch contact, or do they use an optical or magnetic proximity style sensor? I assume they then use the ECU to determine if the car is in Park before allowing ignition to go active.

Gone are the good ol' days, where the interlock switch simply activated a relay.....

simple to follow, simple to fix!

vik: assuming I don't have problems on the 1st Feb at Mallala, I should be OK on the 8th.

[richdave]

take it back to dealer. No doubt they will fixt it.

[ms700]

My dyno dude had the same problem, traced it back to the wiring to the startor motor!

Was dodgy fitting or not done up tightly enough..... cant quite remember.

Maybe have a quick look and wiggle the wires when it wont crank again?