C180 Problems Starting

midnight

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This could be the start of a beautiful relationship or the start of a "I wish I had never got this Car" relationship.

I have recently purchased a C180 estate 1997 110,000 miles on the clock. All has been well but now it does not like starting in "P". So I have been starting it in neutral, now if I happen to miss neutral and hit drive before starting it takes a lot of trouble to get the car to start. I have to return it to "P" and then back to neutral several times before it will start in neutral.

The other thing I have noticed is that if it is parked in "P" on a steepish hill the car will roll forward.

I have had autos for the past 12 years with other makes of car and never had this happen.

Are we talking a simple problem here or lots of ££££££. :|


Thanks for helping.
 

dogsbody

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With 110K, you should expect some minor problems, often related to the electrics. Certainly you have a minor problem with the starter inhibitor switch, and which should only take few quid to sort out.
I know that automatic drivers rely on the park feature to acts as the car handbrake. I drive both autos and manuals, so I use the handbrake.
With slippage in park you have got two choices - use the parking brake, and dont fork out, or pay for the brake band on the autobox to be replaced...
Depends how flush you are!
 
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midnight

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Thanks for the replies.

Okay so I need a new starter inhibitor switch - I was quoted £150 for the part - does that sound normal, also is it a DIY or garage job?

As for the "p" slippage I can use the handbrake for the time being, I have just never had that problem before so just wondered if it was something serious, but if thats all it is I can live with it.

Thanks
 

flyingtech55

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Two thoughts:

1) In view of the horrendus cost of the inhibitor switch, and as a test only, fit a push-to-make switch across the existing one, assuming its a simple switch and not some complex ECU configuring multipole thing. Ensure that the car is in park before starting and press the switch before turning the key. If it then starts every time, its point proven. However if you do this be careful because of the obvious safety implications. The Ford switch used to cost about £20.00p and was quite a common fault

2) I was under the impression that in park the autobox engages two gears at once and so locks up the gearbox and therefore the car can't move.

Both these faults point to the gear selector lever and its mechanism. Its therefore possible that the linkages need adjusting or that there is some wear present. I've been out of the trade too long now so am no longer current but on re-reading your question that thought struck me.

Hope this is helpful.
 
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midnight

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Update:

In the end it was becoming so much trouble to get it started in had to go in to be fixed £200+vat for the switch plus £80+vat to fit and adjust the gear selector lever. It now starts in "P" every time so problem sorted. But as people have stated - what an expensive switch!!
 

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