I took out my centre console in order to work on the diff lock linkages, and now the vehicle won't start. I must have upset something, but what could cause this?

I notice a louder than normal click when I step on the brake, and it sounds like it's coming from the automatic shifter leaver. Not sure if it's louder because I have the center console off, or if it really is louder because a relay is broken or something.

When I step on the brake it lets me shift out of park, so it is still detecting that the brake is being pressed. When I turn the key, I hear a click from the right (passenger) side of the dash. So it's detecting that the key is being turned. But the engine doesn't crank.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Roger

I suspect that the 'louder' click is because of 2 things:

1. The console is off
2. You have heard it and now listen for it

In short nothing to worry about

The other solenoid click from the key turn is the significant one. My guess is that you have disturbed an earth connection somewhere

Must tbe the connection that stops it form starting in "D" I would suggest.

That is was my guess,, but I can't see where to get at it. I tried unscrewing the four screws around the shifter and it came loose, but could only raise it up less than an inch due to the shifter knob being in the way.

Sounds probable that you may have disturbed the start inhibit switch.

Well I looked all around the area as best as I could given the limited access and I was crawling around on my back on the gravel. I found two wires that wern't connected. They were both black and one had blue marks on it. I connected them together and I got a picture of the drive train on my dash, So I guess that's supposed to connect to the diff lock sensor.

In the interests of finishing off the topic in case someone is searching for a similar problem in the future...

I got the thing going. I connected from the positive terminal on the battery, to an in-line fuse, to a wire going through the bulkhead to a push button on my dash board. The wire then goes from the button back through the dash board and down to the starter solenoid next to the starter motor. I put a spade connector on the end, and slipped it on. Works great so far.

Note: do not use a cheap low power electronics push button from Radio Shack and some speaker wire. I tried this first and it worked for a while, and then left me stranded until I could strip some of the wire and touch it onto the positive terminal of the battery. I ended up with a switch from NAPA rated for 15A, and a 15A in-line fuse. Should be plenty to fire a solenoid I should think.

Thanks,
Roger

your shift interlock has failed on the gearbox or the inhibit switch on the gearbox or you have a dodgy spider unit also coman