Neutral Safety Switch?

[Shu]

For the last 6 months or so I have had a problem with my truck not wanting to start.

Every once in a while, gradually increasing in frequency, when I get in to start it and turn the key forward I can hear the fuel pump run, all lights and guages come on, radio, heat and ac conrols, everything works but when I turn the key from accessory to the start position, it acts like you are trying to start it in gear. It doens't engage the starter but everything else works fine. The battery cehcks out good. When it does start the solenoid and starter all sound perfect. To me it acts like a neutral safety switch. But is there anything else that would cause this? Is the Neutral switch on the side of the transmission or where is it? The reason I ask is because I recently changed the transmission fluid and filter and used the expensive synthetic fluid so I really do not want to drop the transmission pan yet again. Plus GM engineers need to spend a little time wrenching on the things they design so they know how frustrating it is to have the transmission crossmemeber just a hair in the way of getting the trans pan off! Get out from behind your computer once in a while and pick up a wrench! Ok, rant over, what does everyone think is causing this problem?

 

2005 Silverado 4x4 W/T with 4.3L and auto transmission with nearly 108000 mostly trouble free miles:)

[Shu]

Or does this sound like the ignition switch?????

 

EDIT: I pulled the DTC's tonight when it did this again and it showed P0101 which I believe is the Mass Air Flow Sensor malfunction. As soon as I reset the DTC the truck started fine. That code shouldn't stop it from starting, right? Why did it start immedaitely after resetting the DTC though?

[Shu]

Is it ok to bump my own thread?

[gmtech4]

Mark,engineers do not wrench,the pan comes off just fine if you have a hoist and a tranny jack to raise the powertrain and/or move the crossmember reward lol

 

the computor starts the engine ,so a bunch of stuff has to be checked so the PCM has all its info and says "ok,lets ground this wire and away we go "

 

no the po101 code does not disable the starting system,

 

im afraid there is nothing you can do without some expereience and a scanner and GM information.

 

take it in

[Shu]

UPDATE:

 

It is still doing the same thing. I have replaced the Park Neutral safety switch and the Battery and checked the cables.

When it won't start, if you leave the key in the run position and go out and jump the starter from positive Terminal to S side of solenoid, it fires right up. Dealer thought is was the P N Switch first now they think it is the Ignition Switch so I bought that today and will install tonight. Any other thoughts?

[jro909]

go to the dealer...the money your blowing on parts could be the fee for a qualified tech to tell you your pcm needed an update quick

[zalez]

I had the same thing come on with my 2003 suburban. It was a mass air flow sensor. According to my dealer they said it will not start once that sensor totally fails. It was sporatic when it happened and also seemed to happen more frequently when cold. But this was coming from the same dealer that told me it would cost $1000 to change it. I bought a new vehicle.