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Shuts off and will only start in a neutral

Tiny
IDEALMECH
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 220,000 MILES
Just recently I've had this issue with my vehicle not starting. One day I started up and drove as usual and after turning off the car to pump fuel and turning back on it wouldn't start.
I had a roadside mechanic take a look and it wasn't my starter, alternator, nor battery. And my car would only start I think while being placed in neutral while he worked something under the hood. He stated it's my gearbox. I could only drive it back home and while placing it in park, I cannot restart it.

Also, the check-engine light was on for months and I also took it to a transmission specialist months ago who stated there were slips I think in the second gear.

At this point I'm not sure of the issue and the cost of fixing.
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Wednesday, May 11th, 2022 AT 5:07 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

If the vehicle won't start in park, but it did in neutral, it sounds like the park safety switch is bad.

The park/neutral switch (PNP) is on the transmission where the shift linkage cable attaches. If the vehicle isn't in park or neutral, it shouldn't start. Since it started only in neutral, I suspect the linkage could be out of adjustment or the switch may have failed.

Do this. On the side of the transmission is a fluid pan. Locate the PNP and confirm the connectors are tight and in good condition.

If they are, slowly shift through each gear to see if the starter will engage. If it does, we have an adjustment issue. If there is no change, I suspect the switch is bad.

I attached a pic below showing the location.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Wednesday, May 11th, 2022 AT 9:15 PM
Tiny
IDEALMECH
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Good day,

Thank you.

I couldn't quite find the area you were speaking of easily. It's dirty and oily underneath, though I did find a broken wire that could be part of the transmission connector to the PNP system? Please see attachment. Also, I have no transmission fluid, the stick looks completely dry upon checking?

Blessings.
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Thursday, May 12th, 2022 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

When the engine is off, the fluid level drops, so if you are checking it off, it is really low. You need to add fluid to it.

I do see the two wires you are referring to. If you wipe them off, can you tell the colors they are? Also, let me know if this is a 3-speed automatic or 4-speed automatic.

I attached the wiring schematic below for the 4-speed. I believe they were more common. I highlighted and circled the wiring and PNP (range sensor). See if the wires are the same colors or match any in the schematic.

Also, the switch is on the driver's side of the engine compartment at the rear of the left side, rear of the transmission. If you locate it, you will see if there is a connector without wires attached.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Thursday, May 12th, 2022 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
IDEALMECH
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thank you kindly for your responses.

I do believe that it's a 4 speed and the wired that's corroded and broken is red.

I did not see any other adjustments needing to be made at this time.

Blessings.
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Thursday, May 12th, 2022 AT 9:38 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

By chance, does the red wire also have a black tracer stripe on it? Have you located the transmission range switch? If so, is there a broken wire there as well?

If not, check the red wire for power with the key in. Use a voltmeter or multimeter to do this. The voltage may be 5v. Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Friday, May 13th, 2022 AT 7:09 PM
Tiny
IDEALMECH
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Hi. Thank you.

I'm in the process of purchasing a voltmeter so at this time I'm unable to test and know the voltages.

I did find that the two wires are both different colors. The left side is yellow, and the right side is red. There may be a black strip, though I can barely tell because they are badly burnt. But I was able to wipe down the wires a little, enough to find the connector colors are different.

Sincerely.
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Monday, May 16th, 2022 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Thank you for the update. I looked through the pics you sent. Are the wires visible in one of the pics?

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, May 16th, 2022 AT 7:33 PM
Tiny
IDEALMECH
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  • 7 POSTS
Good evening,

Yes, it's the first-line pictures that connects to the source of the broken wire.

Sincerely.
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Tuesday, May 17th, 2022 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
IDEALMECH
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Images with increased lightning on of the upper connection and the second with the broken wire component.
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Tuesday, May 17th, 2022 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

It's likely you're going to think I'm a fool, but I cannot find what you are referring to. Can you copy the pic and circle the wire? Also, are you able to temporarily reconnect the wire to see if changes things?

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 AT 6:21 PM
Tiny
IDEALMECH
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Hi. Sorry it took me a bit to respond back, though I went in and took the battery lose and unplugged the plug the wires were in. One of the wires is an alternator (red wire) that was one of the two wires that looked to be burnt and was not connected to the plug-in (please see plug-in). When trying to connect the wires into the free-space of the connector, the car gave a whinning sound, unlike before when there was no sound when trying to start. It also sound as though the sound was coming from the back of the vehicle (not sure).

I'm just getting to this step today and took a few pics.

Sincerely.
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Saturday, May 28th, 2022 AT 5:33 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I attached a schematic below of the charging system. Take a look through it and see if you can identify which red wire you found. Also, let me know the color of the other wire.

As far as the noise, could it be the fuel pump? I'm getting confused. LOL Is it loud enough for you to record and upload for me to hear?

Let me know.

Joe

Also, please confirm the engine size (2.2L or 2.4L) The schematic below is from the 2.2L wiring schematics.
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Saturday, May 28th, 2022 AT 10:03 PM

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