Intermittent failure to start after auto gearbox recon

[peterljohnson55]

Gday guys and gals,

I have recently had my Au2's gearbox fully reconditioned and refitted by professionals. But after 400 kms it failed to start. This happens on average about every ten days. I am confident the gearstick is always in park, and this problem never happended before gearbox reconditioned.

Here are my notes at the time of the first failure to start...

- Some electrical activity, but not sure why didn’t start. Certainly no nearly-start, just nothing.
- Checked to see in either park or neutral.
- Tried again in neutral and it started. Switch off.
- Tried again in park, and it started.

However, after about another 400 kms it failed to start again...

- Car in park gear. Key turned on, dash displays, but no ignition and no associated sound.
- Gear stick move back and returned to park position to start, several times, but no start.
- Car started after about the FOURTH shuffle of the gearstick to park position.

I would appreciate any thoughts as to what is going on, with thanks. PJ

[BHDOGS]

Selector switch on gearbox possibly

[Maka]

Inhibitor switch more than likely Peter, my suggestion would be to take it back & tell them what your gearbox is doing and get them to look at it-also mention that your au never did this before you had them reco the transmission.

There should be a warranty so the rebuilders should be happy to take a look & fix.

cheers,Maka

[peterban]

I had this type of problem and it was the starter motor ignition wire.
All lights on dash but turn the key and no start.
I found that if I laid on the ground and put my arm up under the car and wiggled the starter motor wire and then got back in the car it would start for awhile and then the same would happen a week or so later.

[mik]

another vote for inhibitor switch.

[Mr Hardware]

PLJ,
Does it always start in neutral? If so, more than likely inhibitor switch. If not, then it is something else like peterban suggests.

[peterljohnson55]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

PLJ,
Does it always start in neutral? If so, more than likely inhibitor switch. If not, then it is something else like peterban suggests.

Yes, Mr H, always starts in either neutral or park.

[peterljohnson55]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Seems I first need to visit the repairer and tell him the story, with a focus on the inhibitor switch. Whether he will accept that as a warrantable repair is another matter, but let's hope so. I think I have a good case. Saw them on ebay for $75+, plus fitting, which I dont want to pay. Anyway, it is happening more often now so I thnk the switch is definitely on its way out.
Peter

Thanks again ot all, and thanks for a great resource for discussion.

[Maka]

Peter, hopefully the repairer will scan the ecu in your car to see if theres a fault code thrown by the inhibitor switch. The one thing i would do though is inspect the switch myself to make sure its clean (contacts) and plugged in properly-you never know give the cable a wiggle & see what happens.

cheers,Maka

[peterljohnson55]

Thanks Maka.

Do fault codes always show up intermittent problems, even if the fault is not evident at time of testing?

[Maka]

No, but they have a number of ways of testing the switch - what i assume they will do is -1) get you to demonstrate the problem when you drop the au off -2) throw it on the scanner to check if it threw a code then they'll -3) throw it on the hoist and physically check the switch & wiring to it and- 4) go from there lol! Good luck with it Peter!

cheers,Maka

[peterljohnson55]

LATEST discovery...

Story is when the gear stick is in PARK it doesnt always start.
I have now discovered, by chance, that if the car doesnt start at first I can push it the stick hard forward and it start.

Could this be a simple matter of adjustment? If so, of what?

[MNM96]

Seems the Selector needs adjusting. as the lever isn't meeting the limit of the inhibitor. They will likely adjust it FOC if it hasn't been too long since rebuild.

[Mr Hardware]

Originally Posted by peterljohnson55

Story is when the gear stick is in PARK it doesnt always start.

That's why I asked the question I asked. MNM96 is right. You may need a replacement inhibitor switch however.

[peterljohnson55]

Thanks MNM, I will talk to the mechaic about this.