Rep Power: 309

And no god forbid you thought this is about the civic haha

The Maxima beater I got for the winter, I noticed a weird boo boo.

When the shifter is in 'Park' but its a little closer to the 'R' the car doesnt start. I turn the key and all I hear is click click click.

Then I take the shifter and slightly push it up away from the 'R' gear completley into 'P' and then the car starts normally.

I know this isnt about the Civic but I was hoping someone with a little mechanic knowledge could tell me what this could be...... I'm assuming its some safety feature that wont let the car start if its in Reverse. If it is a safety feature why does moving the shifter like half and inch up or half an inch back arms and disarms the safety feature?


Here is a pic of what I mean

 
Rep Power: 380

Its a safty feature found on ALL automatic transmissions.... It basically stops you from starting the car if its in gear. The car should be able to start if its in N though.

 
Rep Power: 309

I just went outside to check if it start when its in 'N' and it does start. Now I'm a little bit relieved. Thanx man

 
Rep Power: 423

I'll tell you exactly what it is... because we used to have one. Basically the contact goes bad or gets gunked up and it needs to be in that one sweetspot for the car to realize its in park. 2 things you can do... take the console apart (its easy, the trim around the radio and change tray pop off, then the bottom panel around the lighter/ash tray comes off then you can lift the shifter trim up (This is 3rd gen stuff, see maxima.org for full details). Then take a pencil eraser and clean the contacts. Easier solution, shake the shifter before you start the car. Neutral is also an option, but if it has the "Shift Lock" Feature, its a bit more of a PITA.

 
Rep Power: 309

Thanx also. I kinda figured the shaking the shifter before starting. Each time before I start I kinda wobble the shifter back and forth and so far its been starting normally.

 
Rep Power: 0

He is completely Right, dont have to shake it, just put it in park. every auto trans. comes with that feature.

 
Rep Power: 0

These guys are right. The actual name of the faulty part is neutral safety switch. I actually had the same problem on an older Nissan. I had to hold the shifter forward and turn the key at the same time to start the car.

 
Rep Power: 308

Nice Diagram!!!
Same thing on my Old Probe,
Don't stress it just bump it into park.

 
Rep Power: 272

don't forget, as well as that being a saftey feature, if you stop your car, and don't put it into park and reach for your keys to take them out, they won't come out because it's still in gear. just an fyi