Will not crank and dash keeps reading shift?

PUGH TERESA

MEMBER
1991 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
5.7L
V8
104,798 MILES

Yes, I have the car listed above ZR1 Corvette and I have replaced everything in it and it cranked a couple times. But it got too cold to work on during the winter months. But one day when I was trying to get it off the ramps I put it in reverse and it popped pretty hard. And every since I did that it wont crank. The dash lights keep reading shift. Which i'm sure relates to the park neutral safety switch and the gear shift linkage. I have checked that and it's fine it shifts just like it's supposed to but it's not registering what gear it is in in order for it to crank. So with that being said do you have any idea what would cause the shift light to come on and no crank no start. If you know of anything that might help me get my beautiful car cranked I will be forever grateful to you sir. Thank you and God Bless. I just want to drive it again it has been over 6 months. And a lot of money on her.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi,

If you are not seeing a gear indication, chance are it is related to the transmission position switch. It is located at the base of the shifter in the console. Is that the one you checked?

If you look at pic 1 below, I attached the wiring schematic for the starting system. I will need you to check for power out from the trans position switch (purple wire) when trying to start. If there is no power, go back to the yellow wire with the blue tracer and confirm there is power.

If there is no power at that point, then the starter enable relay needs checked. It is located under the dash on the driver's side. If you have a different relay with the same part number, switch them to see if it makes a difference. If you don't have one, here is a link you may find helpful. It explains how to test a relay.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Here is a link that explains how to test wiring:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

One last thing. When you check the switch, check the wiring near the shift cable bracket. I remember there being issues with the wiring rubbing against the bracket and causing damage. See pic 2 below. I circled the bracket and highlighted the wiring harness.

Try this and let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.

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Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 AT 7:22 PM

PUGH TERESA

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I had a feeling it had something to do with the shifter or p/n safety switch because it doesn't show what gear your in when you go to change gears. And the linkage works fine. I know it's in park but it's just not acknowledging it and it shifts fine but no start no crank just shift light on dash on. I have an old original code reader for 88-94 GM car's that I'm going to try out soon. I just don.T really know how to use it. I bought it from a retired old school mechanic. These tools are diamonds and rare. If you can send me some info on pulling codes and decoding any previous codes that may be stored in the PCM I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much for your knowledge. I hope to teach my grandson everything I know one day.

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Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 AT 9:24 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi,

You are very welcome. As far as retrieving codes, you honestly don't need the scan tool. For codes, all that is needed is a short jumper wire or even a paper clip.

Here is a link that shows how to do it. Follow this link and let me know the results.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method

Try that and let me know the results.

Take care,

Joe

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Thursday, April 29th, 2021 AT 8:20 PM