In Park, no start?

[msheffer]

Well, here is the problem. I live in PA, and the cold weather has really started to affect my SHO. Sometimes in the morning it will take 2 cranks to get it started. I have just been shrugging this off as issues from the cold weather. Well earlier this morning I went out to start it, it took two tries and it fired right up. I drove to work which is less then mile away, no more then a 3 min drive. After about an hour I head back to my car and attempted to start it. Once the key is in my lights will come on (radio, outside and int. lights) but it won't even try to turn over. All I hear is a click from the starter but it doesnt even try to turn over.

So I think its the battery, I have someone try to jump me, but no luck. I get the battery charged also, luckly there is a shop right where I was. Still nothing. They are clueless at the shop and advise me to get it towed to a Ford dealer. I attempt to start it one more time, this time I put it in Neutral and tried to get it to fire. Started right up... So I try again in Park, but it won't start in Park, will only start in Neutral. I drove it to a Ford dealer for them to look at it, but I wanted to know what you guys think it might be... I don't want to get ripped off.

Also another problem I am having, which I don't know if it is related to the above problem, but sometime when I put my car in Reverse my radio will turn off. Nothing else will, just for some reason the radio and the power ant. will turn off. I can put it back in P or D and it will come back on. Just something that was a little annoying... but it didn't always happen.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

I think there is some sensor that tells the car where the trans is aka Park R N D , thats probably bad and the trans thinks its in another gear other then park when it truly is really in park. I forget the name of the sensor though.

 

[midnightauto]

I think there is some sensor that tells the car where the trans is aka Park R N D , thats probably bad and the trans thinks its in another gear other then park when it truly is really in park. I forget the name of the sensor though.

it is called the transmission range sensor, sits right on top of the shift shaft. but it may just be out of adjustment. it should have two bolts loosen and twist it just a little in the direction of park. not sure about any effect it would have on the radio and antenna

 

[JCU]

Listen to hear if your fuel pump is working. Then check and see if you are getting any spark. I had the same problem a few winters ago and it turned out that I had a problem with no spark.

 

[SHOZ123]

The radio will be affected by a bad TRS. Known problem on the Taurus.

 

[FoSHO99]

My car seems to have the exact opposite effect. I live in Iowa where the weatherman said today things should be warmer.....its actually above 0 today!!! My Check engine light JUST came off today for the first time in a year.....haha....(dont worry about it). My car turns over right away.

A little tip....keep everything OFF when you start it....(the radio, the heat, etc.) to make it easier for the cold start....

 

[msheffer]

It's the TRS. They are charging me $75 for the part, but it has to be ordered. Thanks everyone for the help. After looking more closely at TRS problems I figured that it probably would affect the radio too. Thanks again. I'm just glad it's not something worse.

 

[SHOZ123]

. My Check engine light JUST came off today for the first time in a year.....haha....(dont worry about it).

So what was the code? Just curious is all.