92 Cav.stuck in Park with no power

[cogger]

The battery is good and all contections seem tight. I think it is the ignition switch or something in the steering colum or shifter.Stuck in park also.Any advice or thoughts for help?Thanks

[Venger10]

The release for the shifter is actuated by pressing on the brake pedal , which activates a solenoid which releases a lock on the lever. This requires electrical power .

At this point , my best advice would be to attempt a jump-start using another vehicle....if this is unsuccessful , then you have a serious electrical problem.....

[cogger]

I think that it is a serious electrical problem then.Battery fully charged.I placed charger on it.Still nothing.It acts there is to battery in it at all. The junk is blocking my FORD pick em up.

[Venger10]

You should be able to go under the hood and find the place where the lever cable attaches to the tranny. I don't know what engine you have or I could tell you exactly.

Disconnect it and put the car in neutral manually by flipping the small lever the cable was attached to.

If you are on a hill or a slight incline be sure to have the E-brake on or somebody in the car when you do this...

[Pikachoo]

Originally posted by Venger10


If you are on a hill or a slight incline be sure to have the E-brake on or somebody in the car when you do this...

Yea, we would hate to have another Darwin Awards winner!!

[Venger10]

Originally posted by Pikachoo

Yea, we would hate to have another Darwin Awards winner!!

Perhaps I shoulda added the : rolleyes : thingy after that....


I can see it now..... " Somebody TOLD me to do this , Mr. Officer....."

[cogger]

4 cyl. 175 I believe. It is parked on Flat. I will keep trying to troubleshoot it.Thanks for help

[Pikachoo]

Originally posted by cogger
I think it is the ignition switch

That would be my guess. :smoka:

[Venger10]

Originally posted by Pikachoo


That would be my guess. :smoka:

Kinda unusual for the switch to go bad suddenly....usually it gets VERY loose first.
Check the starter connections , make sure the small solenoid wire is still attached. If all the wires are attached and TIGHT there....then check the engine block NEGATIVE cable , the bolt holding that may have vibrated loose.
I would also check the MAIN fuse box...under the hood , where the BIG fuses are. The main is prolly about 70+ amps....:smoker2:

[Pikachoo]

I'm on ignition switch number 3 right now. And I've only had this car for 3 years.... I never get a warning... just one day either the car won't turn on, or won't turn off...

[Venger10]

Originally posted by Pikachoo
I'm on ignition switch number 3 right now. And I've only had this car for 3 years.... I never get a warning... just one day either the car won't turn on, or won't turn off...

Got a lot of extra electrical stuff?? like a big stereo and stuff? All the electrical power goes thru the switch itself so too much power can burn it up EZ..

[Pikachoo]

You're exactly right.
I guess they just can't handle my 1600 Watts...

[Venger10]

Originally posted by Pikachoo
You're exactly right.
I guess they just can't handle my 1600 Watts...

Are you serious or not....
If you are , the best way to avoid that problem is to use a solenoid . You use the ignition switch to power the solenoid instead of the system itself.:bandit: The solenoid is built to handle that kind of power.:alien:

[cogger]

after a 2 day charge of the battery it ran. Then died out. Seems as if the alternator is shot but how can I find out before I spend a $100 bill on a alternator and without testing equipment?