Car trouble

[lost-and-found]

Hi guys 'n' gals.

I recently purchased a used 1990 Nissan Stanza, in a very good condition, only 54k miles on it.

I noticed one problem today....

The ignition switch is the kind where there is a button by the key that you must push to get the key out. Normally, if the car is left in gear (automatic transmition) the key would not be able to push, thus preventing you from taking out the key (a safety mechanism). Well, I can leave the car in any gear I want and take the key out, that's not my main concern cause I don't intend on leaving the car in gear anytime soon. Now, let's say that I DO leave it in gear, I'm able to take the key out. If try to get the car started, then I can't , the starter is not even starting, the lights and equipment (radio) turn on, but the starter is not working even. Now, if I move the lever back to P, something's broken in there too. If i don't push the lever very, very far, until it can trully move no more, the mechanism keeps on thinking I'm in gear still (I'm really in P cause I can take my foot off of the brake and not move), so if I turn the engine off I won't be able to start again. I have to "force" the lever to the front end of P and then be able to start. That worries me kind off, what could it be? I'm worried cause I now have to remember to move the lever all the way to the end, with force, before I turn my engine off, and that will get tedious.

[daveleau]

There is a switch that enables the starter called the neutral safety switch. This sounds like the culprit. Unless the car is in park or neutral with this switch engaged, the starter will not crank. Sounds like the switch is going bad.

Thank Gomer for this link. He showed it to me:
http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/Chilton...62ch07_35.html

Dave

[lost-and-found]

thanks dave, and Gomer. After researching the inhibitor switch, I found many instances of problems similar to mine (you have to wiggle the gear handle in P to start the engine). Hopefully, as I suspect, all I need to do is adjust the inhibitor switch. Where in under the car is the switch located (remember that I have absolutely no knowledge of car parts).