

| Subject: | Re: 1984 automatic starter just clicks |
| From: | Birkenfeld Jeff |
| Date: | Fri, 17 Jan 2003 14:16:52 -0600 |
you wrote: I do have a flakey nuetral-park switch. But as long as the starter clicks I think the switch is working? No necessarily... The switch passes current through a simple copper type band that moves along the actual switch part via the gearshift lever. The band attaches to the lever and as you move the lever into gear or out of, the band contacts small copper buttons on the switch face sliding surface and passes current through the switch to different wires (reverse light and starter solenoid). The band degrades and eventually doesn't allow enough or any current through the switch. The buttons on the switch also get hot over time and seem to recess into the plastic which also denies the optimum current flow. When troubleshooting vans with starting problem symptoms such as yours (automatic trans), I've found that in 90% of the cases, replacement of this switch and copper band fixed the problem. One can check the voltage at the starter while engaging the key---less than 11 or jumpy voltage would lean me to the switch. About $25 or so from vanagain.com simple questions, do you have reverse light problems? have to jiggle the shift lever to start engine? It's prolly the switch. Good luck, JB
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