93 Bronco shift problem

[FamilyBronco]

I am new here, but see you are all quite knowledgeable!

My 93 Bronco will not start. It sounds like it is gonna start, battery is fine, etc. But it seems like it is stuck somewhere between park and a gear. We have tried everything to move the car out of park and back into park, but it feels like it just isn't in park so it will not start.

Any ideas?

 

[bidibronco]

Try starting the engine while it's in Neutral. If that works then it's a neutral safety switch problem. If it's already turning over then that's a different story. If not then that's what I would try. Also, if that doesn't work, jump the starter soloniod. It's located on the passenger fender well. With the key in the ON position take a screwdriver and hit the two big ends together with it and that sould crank the engine and let it start. You may have a bad soloniod or the neutral safety switch.

 

[BroncoJoe19]

I am new here, but see you are all quite knowledgeable!
My 93 Bronco will not start. It sounds like it is gonna start, battery is fine, etc. But it seems like it is stuck somewhere between park and a gear. We have tried everything to move the car out of park and back into park, but it feels like it just isn't in park so it will not start.

Any ideas?

Please explain, why you think it is stuck between gears.

You could try putting it in neutral. It should start in either Park, or Neutral.

In what way does it sound like it is going to start?

 

[FamilyBronco]

Please explain, why you think it is stuck between gears.You could try putting it in neutral. It should start in either Park, or Neutral.

In what way does it sound like it is going to start?

Actually, I think it is going into park now because we can't push it when it says it is in park.

When it kinda happened yesterday, it didn't start, but we messed with by putting it out of park and back in and it did start.

It clicks when you turn it over, but doesn't actually turn the engine over.

(Thanks for the replies!)

 

[BroncoJoe19]

It clicks when you turn it over, but doesn't actually turn the engine over.

I interpret this to mean that you hear a click when you turn the key, but that the engine does not crank. The clicking sound is probably the starter solenoid.

It sounds like you have a dead battery, or just are not getting enough amperage though to your starter for it to crank the engine.

Do your headlights shine brightly when you turn them on?

Check your battery connections, make sure they are clean and tight.

Check your battery cable to the starter solenoid, and to the starter... clean and tight.

Check to make sure your gound is also clean and tight.

If your battery is more than three years old, it is probably on its last legs. IF the truck will turn over and start on a warm day, but won't turn over (crank) or cranks slowly on a cold day... time for a new battery.

Hope this helps.

Bidibroncco told you how to jump the solenoid, that could be a problem especially if your connections are clean, and your headlights work real well.

 

[FamilyBronco]

The battery is fine. We turn the key backwards and everything lights up, windows go up and down, stereo on....all the good stuff.

Replaced the solonoid and still no starting. Bypassed the solonoid and got sparks, but nothing else.

UGH!

Ideas?

 

[Jersey]

The battery is fine. We turn the key backwards and everything lights up, windows go up and down, stereo on....all the good stuff.
Replaced the solonoid and still no starting. Bypassed the solonoid and got sparks, but nothing else.

UGH!

Ideas?

Sound like the starter motor itself took a crap. If you are in fact getting a full 12 volts to the starter motor, and its still just clunking when you turn the key, try banging the starter motor moderately with a hammer. (doing this while frustrated makes you hit it too hard and you break the housing and you have to replace it regardless. Trust me I know...lol) If some one cranks it, you tap on it, and it starts, its the starter itself.

 

[BroncoJoe19]

Yep... I agree, it is probably the starter itself.

I would check the cable connection to it that comes from the solenoid to make sure it is clean and tight. IF it is, I would pull the starter and bench test it. Essentially use jumper cables to it. Positive to the nut where the battery cable (from the solenoid) went to it, and the negative to the starter housing. It should turn like a 1/2 hp bench top grinder motor. IF not then your starter is the problem.

joe