Turn key, nothing happens...........

[1996Z15]

I have a 1997 XLT (V6) and just recently it has started this new no-start condition. I get in the truck, turn the key and all the normal dash lights come on but, no ignition. I turn the key back, move the shifter into drive and back into Park, turn the key and, if I'm lucky, it starts. Other times I can turn the key back and forth a few times and the doors will lock and unlock.

So far the truck has started after repeating these steps a few times but, I fear that one time it is going to leave me stranded; any ideas what might be causing this issue?

 

[bilzy7]

Is it not getting into gear correctly? I know my ranger in park use to not fully be in park, I'd play with shifter and it would start right up. Sounds similar if that's all your doing to get it to start.
Is there an abnormal amount of slack in the shift indicator?

 

[my98nnj]

Sounds like the ignition switch is going bad. You can change just the switch, you key will still work the same.

 

[1996Z15]

Sounds like the ignition switch is going bad. You can change just the switch, you key will still work the same.

Is that a difficult or expensive repair? Where do I purchase a new ignition switch? Is that something I can get from Rock Auto?

 

[jremington59]

Does it start if you put it in neutral?

 

[RomeovilleIL]

neutral safety switch is more likely than the ignition given your description. Test before you start throwing parts at things.

 

[1996Z15]

Does it start if you put it in neutral?

Fortunately for me it hasn't happened again since I posted so I haven't had a chance to try it on neutral. Next time it's in for service I am going to have both switches tested.

 

[1996Z15]

Just happened again this morning only this time it won't start even after turning the key numerous times, trying to start the car in neutral and shifting from Park to neutral a few times.

It appears as if the battery has plenty of juice; any suggestions that might enable me to get the car started so I can take it to my dealership for repair?

 

[1996Z15]

On a hunch I disconnected the battery for a few minutes and, when I re-connected everything, the car started right up.

Monday I will make an appointment to have it checked out and repaired.

 

[jremington59]

Were your cables dirty or corroded? That can cause the problem you've been describing.

 

[1996Z15]

Cables were clean and tight.

Just picked the car up from the dealership and, since they could not duplicate the problem, nothing was done. I told them that it may be the ignition switch but, apparently, that didn't seem to matter.

Now I have to hope that the truck doesn't leave me stranded somewhere or I take it to another dealership and hope that they can identify, and correct, the problem.

 

[deweyville65]

As a former mechanic, I can tell you, electrical problems are extremely difficult to diagnose unless it is acting up while the mechanic is working on it. It took two weeks to locate a problem on a 69 Volkswagen. That was after it hadbeen towed into the dealership numerous times. I would recommend all pertinate switches be checked for proper positioning, and all wiring checked for loose/bad connections.