C36 won't start in Park

[scoobyman]

Wife rang me yesterday to say our '97 C36 wouldn't start. Engine would start and then die immediately. She put it in neutral and it started fine. The next time she came to start it it wouldn't start in either Park or Neutral and I had to move the gear lever a few times before I could get it to start in Neutral.
Is this likely to be a simple switch on the gear selector? Is it something I can fix myself?

Many thanks.

 

[MarkCL]

There is a switch in the 'box that won't let the engine start unless it's either in park or neutral so yes, it could be that. Not sure how much it costs (am sure others will be able to fill in with more details on that) but I'd start there and then move out to things like the crank angle sensor etc, though from what you've said it certainly sounds more like the 'box switch yes.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

I think this depends which gearbox you have, if its a 722.5 box then the swicth will be in the selector module. if your box is a 722.6 then the switch is part of the electrics on the valve body.

 

[scoobyman]

Thanks for the reply. How do I know which gearbox I have? If it's a 722.6, is it a major (expensive!) fault?

 

[television]

This is not a major problem,, when you say it would not start, did the key turn ok to the start posistion

 

[scoobyman]

Sorry, I should have been clearer! Engine turns over, starts and dies immediately.

 

[panason1c]

Sorry, I should have been clearer! Engine turns over, starts and dies immediately.

That could be a problem with the ignition key/immobilisor system (known as 'DAS'..Driver Authorisation System, i think), try using your spare key (if you have one) and see if that works.

 

[IAN MAC]

If this is to do with a switch on the gearbox, then surely the engine wont start at all. ??? If it was allowed to turn over in gear..... need i say more.

 

[television]

If the engine starts and dies, then its nothing to do with the box or EIS

 

[scoobyman]

Tried to start it in Park this morning and it wouldn't fire at all. Started at the third attempt in Neutral. Would it have started in Park if I'd persevered? No idea.

 

[scoobyman]

...move out to things like the crank angle sensor....

and crank angle sensor it was!