1999 Lesabre trouble starting

[deanbigbee]

Hi. Thanks in advance for any help.
The other day I went to start my 1999 Buick Lesabre (60,000 miles on it)and it would not start. The only response from the car was a slight electrical humming type sound. No engine turn over, no clicking, nothing.. just a hum. The lights and radio came on and the rest of the car reacted normally.

I did this a few times and nothing. Then I jiggled up on the Shift. Nothing clicked or changed, but I tried again and it started fine.

The problem happened again just yesterday, and the same solution (tapping the gear shift up) worked.

Does anyone know the cause of this or if this could be the start of a much larger problem?

[sallisonbrown]

Hey Dean,
What you are probably experiencing is the Ignition Lockout Switch hanging up. The switch is doing what it is designed to do (keep the car from being started unless the car is in PARK).

As the car gets older you may have to deliberately make sure that the shifter is firmly placed in the "PARK" position. You can always put the key in the ignition (not all the way to START), step on the brake, move the shift through the positions and back to PARK, then turn the key to START. I had to occasionally do that for years when living in NY and the fix didn't cost a thing.

Good Luck.

[yogi_123rd]

Agree with the previous poster. Sounds like the neutral safety switch (another name for the Ignition Lockout Switch) is going or just misadjusted. It should be located on the transmission where shift cable connects to the transmission gear selection arm. It prevents you from starting the car in gear.

[deanbigbee]

Thank you both so much for replying and your information. I am in your debt.

Thanks again!