95 Lumina APV 3.1 problems starting < 30°

[radium226]

I've owned this car for about two weeks, and I have not previously had any difficulty, at all, starting it. Yesterday morning, when the temperature was less than 30°, I turned the key, and all the electronics/dash indicators came on, but it did not turn over. Two hours later, when the temperature had risen by about five degrees, it turned over and caught immediately (as normal), and continued to start normally for the rest of the day.

This morning, the same thing happened. Temperature below freezing, turned the key, wouldn't turn over. I thought maybe it was a battery problem (it was replaced 6 months ago, along with the alternator), so I tried jumping it...it still did not start (and I'm fairly certain I actually had current flowing from one to the other) Two hours later, it started fine on its own.

Could this be a starter solenoid problem that only happens below certain temperatures?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[radium226]

On further inspection of this problem, it would appear that while it is still temperature related, it also has to do with the Park Neutral Position sensor. If I play with the column shifter and get it to just the right position, it will start normally.

[richtazz]

Sounds like a neutral safety switch going south, or it could just be out of adjustment a tad, and when it's cold, due to parts shrinking slightly when colder, that's why it's acting up at colder temps.

[tapcola]

try a hair dryer under you dash where the computer is. I have the same problem and this works.