Steering Column and shift Linkage Question
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Welland, On
Steering Column and shift Linkage Question
My truck won't start in park but starts in neutral. I know that here is a park/neutral switch on the transmission. My question is, is there also another park/neutral switch in the steering column? I have been adjusting the shift linkage. I think there is too much slop in the bushings down by the transmission and the frame. Is there a procedure for adjusting the shift linkage? The truck started in park before.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
The only neutral safety switch is on the transmission. I would disconnect the linkage at the transmission and make sure the transmission is firmly in the park position by hand. Try to start the truck. If it fires, you likely have a linkage problem. If it doesn't fire, it's either the switch itself, the wiring, or possibly the ignition switch itself is worn or out of adjustment. If that's the case we can help walk you through a diagnostic process.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 2
From: Welland, On
The reason I asked, I disconnected the linkage, hand shifted to neutral and the truck would turn over. Hand shift to park and the truck would not turn over. My wife started to play with the shifter, still disconnected, and the truck would not turn over in neutral. My wife was turning the key. Does the shifter on the column prevent the key from turning to start?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 3
From: Suffolk, VA USA
Inside your steering column, there are several pieces that connect your ignition lock to the actual ignition switch which is located on the top of the steering column underneath the dash. In short, there's a gear that connects the back of the lock to a rod that runs down the column to the switch. It runs through the shifter collar. Your issue is more likely in the column itself, not the transmission linkage. Use the search fucntion on the top of the page with the keywords ignition switch and you should easily find several threads with diagrams and directions for checking/repairing the upper column.
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