1990 T-bird LX won't start

[mcervi]

I'll start by saying I don't do too much with car engines, so bear with me...

I have a 1990 T-bird LX, with 3.8L V6. The car doesn't turn over when I turn the key. The lights and auxilliaries come on, and I think I hear the fuel pump star, but the engine does not turn over.

I have replaced the solenoid? (mounted on the side, just behind the battery) and the ignition switch in the steering column.

I can start the car by manually shorting across the posts on the solenoid.

Any ideas on what to check next?

Thanks

[97Bird]

Check the transmission range switch. This switch allows the car to start in park or neutral only. I don't know where on your year car this is located but check around the shift linkage on the transmission to find it.

[J_ROC812004]

yay the sounds like a fun one good luck