So my 98 Legacy automatic has decided it doesn't want to crank anymore. It decided this in a parking garage 300 miles away from home.

The starter is fine because the way I got it started was jumping a bit of wire directly from the battery to the spade terminal on the starter.

 

There aren't any blown fuses. And if I have the key turned while wiggling the shifter in P or N it doesn't start. Even held the key on start while shifting between P and N. No dice. So I hotwired it, drove home, and parked it.

 

I'm gonna replace the ignition switch tomorrow (easy and I have a spare) What could it be?!

If not the ignition switch then I'm guessing the neutral safety switch is junk and not recognizing the position of the shifter. You need to swap it already and get rid of that clunky auto .

I know it might be NSS. But I'm looking for input from someone who knows where it is on this transmission, has dealt with this before, etc.

I know buggerall about automatics and really don't care.

The car is probably going anyway. Not dealing with swapping, I'll get one that already has a 5speed.

Inhibitor switch is on the passenger side of the transmission. You can check that with a multimeter before replacing. I'm not at home or I would look up the circuit wiring to see what else there is in between the battery switch and starter. Seems to me there is a relay somewhere in there.

I only hear a single relay click when I turn the key between run and start, I was assuming that was the relay to turn off radio, lighter plug, etc.

 

Is the inhibitor switch the thing the shifter cable attaches to? What wires do I check with a meter?

I went out this morning, turned the key, and the ************ing thing started right up. GRRR.

I wish it would just stay broken so I can diagnose the issue. I can't stand intermittent problems. I'd feel terrible if I loan it to someone and it leaves them stranded.

Fairtax is correct, it is the inhibitor switch and you are going to get intermittent strandings. Replace it and the problem will go away. If you decide to replace it, I have one. Let me know if you want it.

Fairtax is correct, it is the inhibitor switch and you are going to get intermittent strandings. Replace it and the problem will go away. If you decide to replace it, I have one. Let me know if you want it.

 

Is the inhibitor switch like the ones with two wires coming off on a manual tranny? Like for reverse, NSS, 4wd, low range?

 

Or is it that whole block with tons of wires coming out of it where the shift cable goes?

Pretty much the same exact thing happened to my 95 a few months ago. I had let my mother borrow it for a day and she got stuck in the parking lot at the dentists office. She calls me and tells me the car won't start, it does nothing when she turns the key. Not even a click. But the radio and lights all work. I come over about 45 minutes later, jump in turn the key once and it starts right up. Hasn't done it since.

It is on the passengers side of the tranny and yes, it is where the shifter cable attaches. It is that big black thing with the large plug on it. You have to take the shifter cable loose and then the big nut and the metal arm come off. Then there are three small bolts that hold it in place and it just slides off.

 

Cheers

Pretty much the same exact thing happened to my 95 a few months ago. I had let my mother borrow it for a day and she got stuck in the parking lot at the dentists office. She calls me and tells me the car won't start, it does nothing when she turns the key. Not even a click. But the radio and lights all work. I come over about 45 minutes later, jump in turn the key once and it starts right up. Hasn't done it since.

 

It did that to me once after I hadn't driven it for a while. I turned off the headlights and it started right up. Thought maybe it was a low battery or something. It's a brand new batt. though. I just ignored it since it worked. But I guess that was the start of my issues.

 

 

It is on the passengers side of the tranny and yes, it is where the shifter cable attaches. It is that big black thing with the large plug on it. You have to take the shifter cable loose and then the big nut and the metal arm come off. Then there are three small bolts that hold it in place and it just slides off.

 

Cheers

 

Thanks. I'll have to go out and look at it, then your description will make a lot more sense once I'm looking at what you're talking about.

 

I need to sell this car before it has more problems I don't want to fix...

Speaking of which, how much for the part? I don't want to sell it with issues. Karma would bite me and it wouldn't start when the guy comes to look at it.

Edited April 2, 201214 yr by 987687

Look at my last post and you will see the removal process. Just do the reverse and you will have the rplacement on your tranny.

Look at my last post and you will see the removal process. Just do the reverse and you will have the rplacement on your tranny.

 

Thanks, we posted at the same time.

How much for the part?

PM sent

Thanks.