96 x wont start.

[N1265]

I have a 96 explorer that sometimes won't start. However if I take the gear shifter lever and drop it into low, than slam it back into park it will start.

Any ideas on what the problem is ?

 

[merbs]

gear selector issue

If you look at your trans you`ll see the cable that shifts it connecting to a lever that moves the internal pieces to shift it, in back of the lever is a plastic gizmo that tells the vehicle what gear you`ve selected, it stops the car from starting in gear. First I`d check the electrical connection to it, pull it off after prying the lock so it will release it and check inside the connections, any corrosion and that`s the problem. Even if there isn`t any get some die-electric grease and put it on it before reconnecting it. It does`nt conduct electricity just stop corrosion and allows a good connection.
If that isn`t the problem either your cable isn`t moving the gear selector all the way into park, just enogh to lock it but not enough to tell the selector it`s in park, or more likely the gear selector(plastic piece behind lever) isn`t
functioning right, it has corrosion inside it., or it isn`t moving far enough, you can adjust them on many trans, just loosen the 2 bolts going through it and move it hair. Make sure it`s only a fine blond baby hair adjustment, not an adult crotch hair type. Best of luck. greg aka merbs