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Thread: Sometimes won't start in Park

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    Newbie Disturbed666's Avatar
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    Default Sometimes won't start in Park

    Issue started the day after I bought my car ('06 GS) the car occasionally won't start in park, I know what the issue is, everytime it won't start the "P" light is not lit up, therefor I assume its the park sensor acting up, if I shift into neutral it starts no problem, it will occasionally start in park but more often then not it won't, wondering if anyone know how to get to the sensor, I'm hoping it's possible without taking it in.
    ================================================== =====

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    Jr Member TheAnswer_03's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park


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    Newbie Disturbed666's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    can't be the starter. Like I said when it doesn't start in park I immediately shift to neutral and voila it starts perfectly, i've even shut the car off shifted back into park and it won't start again, I can sometimes jiggle the shifter around and the park light will come on, and it will start in park, I know it's the sensor I just need to know how to get to it

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    Jr Member rajin929's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...JRYJI5c_zfmSDg

    had the same issue with our car ('07 GS), found the TSB that says the cable lock lever and nut and washer needs to be replaced.

    the parts only cost like $10 at the dealer and it took me about an hour to do in my garage.

    the parts that were removed were rusted to shit (which is stupid becuase it's covered by the splash shields), causing the cable and switch to stick....the car was in Park - but the light wasn't on.

    i coated the newly installed parts with a light spray of Krown Spray, have not had any issues so far
    Last edited by rajin929; 05-21-2012 at 01:40 PM.
    2007 Mazda 3 GS sedan - Arctic White / Tan cloth - SOLD
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    Newbie Disturbed666's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    well a little complicated then I originally thought but thanks, I bought the car used and not from mazda, would I still be able to get the parts from them?

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    Jr Member rajin929's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    yeah for sure, just hit up the parts counter at the dealership in your area - give them the part numbers on that TSB and they'll get you the parts

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    Newbie Disturbed666's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    awesome thanks alot

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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    Quote Originally Posted by Disturbed666 View Post
    Issue started the day after I bought my car ('06 GS) the car occasionally won't start in park, I know what the issue is, everytime it won't start the "P" light is not lit up, therefor I assume its the park sensor acting up, if I shift into neutral it starts no problem, it will occasionally start in park but more often then not it won't, wondering if anyone know how to get to the sensor, I'm hoping it's possible without taking it in.
    There is a bulletin on the shift lever at the end of the shift cable. It gets rusted and seized, which makes shifting from any gear a little hard sometime. The part isn't expensive.

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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    I don't think it's the shifter linkage, this would cause hard shifting from park to all the gears, but it would not cause a no start condition.
    I believe it's the transmission range sensor, OP referred to it as park sensor. I'm not exactly sur of its location, but it must be somewhere close to the shifter cables on the tranny. Here is a pic of it from r oak auto.
    http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=936370

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    Jr Member 113GT's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    Quote Originally Posted by stock3 View Post
    I don't think it's the shifter linkage, this would cause hard shifting from park to all the gears, but it would not cause a no start condition.
    I believe it's the transmission range sensor, OP referred to it as park sensor. I'm not exactly sur of its location, but it must be somewhere close to the shifter cables on the tranny. Here is a pic of it from r oak auto.
    http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=936370
    it is the parking sensor, happened in the 2004 3 hatch gs.

    cheap part and easy to replace.
    2014 Mazda3 Sport GT

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    Sponsor - Linwood Motor krimsalt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    Neutral Safety Switch. It has to be considering it starts in neutral

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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    I had a look under the car this morning and the cable lock lever is rusted pretty good, already found someone with ramps i can borrow, just need to wait till payday to get the parts

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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    have you fixed the problem , i like to know what's the real cause

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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    sounds like the range switch is on its way out, does it still start in neutral when it wont start in park? could also be a combo of the range switch and the starter signal wire as there was an updated kit that came out since produtcion.
    Quote Originally Posted by Lmmorden View Post
    Costco = good cheap solution
    Just go to automotive and ask to see their nuts
    It's like a buck a nut

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    Jr Member Pereira11's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    its most likely the range switch as John stated, Mazda calls it an inhibitor switch. MSPR is $62.00 at the dealer

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    Default Re: Sometimes won't start in Park

    I fixed this for free by cleaning the nipple end of the shift cable lever (bracket?) with a wire wheel.

    Remove under body splash shields
    Find shift cable attachment point fore of transmission pan,
    remove shift cable from shift cable lever by,
    removing square retaining clip
    and prying off the shift cable from the bracket by levering the end of the cable bushing towards the front bumper,
    Clean rust off nipple & clean cable bushing,
    Apply grease to lever nipple,
    reinstall cable to lever,
    reinstall square retaining clip,
    reinstall splash shields.

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