Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Ignition problem please help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 17, 2003 | 02:37 AM
  #1  
Ryan1's Avatar
Ryan1
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Ignition problem please help

I cant figure this out, ford doesnt know what it is either. I need this fixed heres the problem

my 94 explorer starts up just fine. But sometimes, only sometimes, while the truck is ideling in park or neutral the starter will engage on its own.

Also, say I pull up to the gas station and go from Drive to park with the shift lever. as it hits park the starter will engage.

And say I started the vehicle and im going from park to drive. as I pass neutral you hear this "ching" cause the starter tried to engage.

Now every time that it does this I can only make it stop by turing off the vehicle or switching out of park or neutral.

I have replaced the starter relay, ignigion switch. negative battery cable.

The weird thing is that it only does it when the vehicle is running. I can put the key in the run position and sit there all day and move the shifter from park to drive a thousand times and it nevers engages

PLEASE HELP I dont know what to do

Ryan
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2003 | 08:42 AM
  #2  
low-side's Avatar
low-side
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
How close is the shift linkage to the starter? Or, is there anything that could be rubbing against it as the engine moves under the torque of gear engagement?
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2003 | 09:12 AM
  #3  
EPNCSU2006's Avatar
EPNCSU2006
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
Likes: 44
From: Concord, NC
Sounds like the ignition switch is not coming out of the start position, so when the lever position sensor hits park or neutral, it hits the starter. I would look somewhere in the steering column first, it sounds as if your problem may lie there.
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2003 | 09:47 AM
  #4  
blu's Avatar
blu
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
From: CT
I agree with EPN* look at whats going on with your ignition switch. The linkage might be binding or the whole switch itself may need to be slid forward/reverse on the column .
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2003 | 01:05 PM
  #5  
lexluthr69's Avatar
lexluthr69
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: Newport News USA
I'm thinking possibly Neutral Safety Switch. If it only happens when passing through neutral, and the switch is what prevents you from starting in drive, maybe somehow it's activating the starter/ignition switch via some kind of short??? I'm really not the most fluent on automatics and their setup, but for some reason that's what's sticking out to me.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:55 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE