Colin from Hull · Jun 4, 2015

Hi
Hoping someone can give the heads up on this problem!
I have a 1997 P38 4.0se Automatic, the symptoms are as if am trying to start the in D (drive)
This happened once before but just came back and hasn't been a problem for ages.
So is there some switch on the gearbox which is sticking, I'm also hearing a clicking noise underneath my seat.

Looks like I'm cycling to work tonight :frown: (10 miles).... Nightshift

tomcat59alan · Jun 4, 2015

Colin from Hull said:
Hi
Hoping someone can give the heads up on this problem!
I have a 1997 P38 4.0se Automatic, the symptoms are as if am trying to start the in D (drive)
This happened once before but just came back and hasn't been a problem for ages.
So is there some switch on the gearbox which is sticking, I'm also hearing a clicking noise underneath my seat.

Looks like I'm cycling to work tonight :frown: (10 miles).... Nightshift

Try moving the Gear stick in P or N whilst trying to start the engine. You just might have a bad contact in the inhibitor switch.

Colin from Hull · Jun 4, 2015

Hi
Yes! been trying that, and that's what worked last time.

tomcat59alan · Jun 4, 2015

Colin from Hull said:
Hi
Yes! been trying that, and that's what worked last time.

Guess the inhibitor switch has thrown it's hand in at last.

Colin from Hull · Jun 4, 2015

Hi
Would you know where this located?

tomcat59alan · Jun 4, 2015

Colin from Hull said:
Hi
Would you know where this located?

Check on Rave, or maybe one of the automatic guy's will tell you.

Colin from Hull · Jun 4, 2015

Hi
Looked in Rave 'Auto Gearbox' there's a Gear Selector switch with a cable/multi-plug attached to it, you need a (setting up block) when re-positioning the replacement, anybody done this before, could this be my problem?
any info on the block I could make one at work!

Datatek · Jun 5, 2015

Colin from Hull said:
Hi
Looked in Rave 'Auto Gearbox' there's a Gear Selector switch with a cable/multi-plug attached to it, you need a (setting up block) when re-positioning the replacement, anybody done this before, could this be my problem?
any info on the block I could make one at work!

That is the XYZ switch, I think the neutral switch is seperate.

Colin from Hull · Jun 6, 2015

Hi
I will have another look in RAVE regarding any other switches, a signal must be sent to an ECU when the gearbox is in P, so I just assumed this XYZ switch did this.

Colin from Hull · Jun 6, 2015

One more thing! came one morning after my nightshift, I thought I'll just try my car see if its starts, sure enough it started.

ady014 · Jun 6, 2015

Before you condemn anything you need to see what you are getting at the starter motor. Check all lives/ earths whilst attempting to start.

Colin from Hull · Jun 6, 2015

Hi
Are you thinking it maybe a loose cable on my starter motor.

Colin from Hull · Jun 6, 2015

Hi
Is there a separate switch or signal when the gearbox is in park (P) telling the car it can start, or is it just this xyz switch.

Datatek · Jun 6, 2015

Colin from Hull said:
Hi
Is there a separate switch or signal when the gearbox is in park (P) telling the car it can start, or is it just this xyz switch.

You could look at RAVE, I thought there was a separate switch but could be wrong.

Colin from Hull · Jun 6, 2015

Hi
I have, that's why I thought it must be the xyz switch with the multi-plug, wouldn't this tell the gearbox ecu that its in Park (P) and allow it to start.

Datatek · Jun 6, 2015

Colin from Hull said:
Hi
I have, that's why I thought it must be the xyz switch with the multi-plug, wouldn't this tell the gearbox ecu that its in Park (P) and allow it to start.

Does the dash display show the correct gear lever position? If it does, the problem is not the XYZ switch. When I was dismantling my 96, I seem to remember a switch in the transmission tunnel. I would need to look at RAVE to confirm.

Colin from Hull · Jun 6, 2015

Hi
Ok, I will have another look in the manual. Thanks

Datatek · Jun 6, 2015

Colin from Hull said:
Hi
Ok, I will have another look in the manual. Thanks

So, I've just looked at RAVE, no sign of a separate switch. Does the dash display show the correct gear positions as you move the lever? If it does, could be a BECM problem but I would do some basic meter checks first to see if you get power at the starter solenoid for example.

wammers · Jun 6, 2015

Datatek said:
So, I've just looked at RAVE, no sign of a separate switch. Does the dash display show the correct gear positions as you move the lever? If it does, could be a BECM problem but I would do some basic meter checks first to see if you get power at the starter solenoid for example.

Have also looked at RAVE. Neutral switch X308 is mentioned for automatic gear boxes but is not listed in component location tables. And as far as i can see is only to do with enabling transfer box ratio changes. The only seperate neutral switch findable is the one fitted to vehicles with manual transmission.

Colin from Hull · Jun 6, 2015

Hi
Ok! I will check this when I get home from work. Cheers!

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