Car gets stuck in park and won’t start SOMETIMES. Hear one click upon starting but starts working after a few times.
We have had this car for 3 months. About a week and a half ago we had an issue where we went to shift the car out of park to drive after the cave was already started and it wouldn't shift out of park. I was at work and my girlfriend was stuck at the airport so I looked up and realized she could override the gear shifter. She did that and was fine but we realized the brake lights weren't working. This fixed itself the next morning but happened again a few days later. It hasn't happened since. Then a few days ago, the car wouldn't start. It would just do one click and that was it
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The shift interlock and the intermittent starting issue are likely separate issues. However, the brake light issue may be related to the shift interlock problem as the circuitry and components are common. The intermittent starting is relatively easy to diagnose. During the next such episode, simply check for 12 volt power to the starter solenoid with the key held in the start position. If 12 volts is reaching the solenoid with the key in the start position, and the always hot lead to the starter has no voltage drop, that likely means you need a new starter. On the other hand, if there is no power to the solenoid, that means there is an interruption somewhere in the starting circuit. To obtain a resolution of this issue, you can request a hard start diagnostic. With regard to the shift interlock, and brake light issue, the relevant service to request is a shift interlock diagnostic. If you request these services, the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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There are a few reasons why you might find yourself unable to shift out of park. Some of the most simple ones are that you may be low on transmission fluid, especially if you`ve sprung a leak. Another popular reason why a car won`t shift from park is from a dead battery, which the above steps can usually help with.
Sometimes, a transmission shifter inside the car becomes sticky and hard to move too. This restricts the movement of the cable and causes the problem where the shifter inside the car is in Park, but the lever at the transmission range switch (in the photo) does not move far enough.
When you put an automatic transmission into park, the parking pawl will swing towards the output shaft, and those few inches of roll or “lurch” that you experience are caused by the small amount of space left over once the pawl is engaged.
Bad Sensors
One common culprit for this problem is the crankshaft position sensor, which measures the position and speed of the crankshaft. The computer uses the information from this sensor to know when to fire the spark plugs. If the sensor isn`t working, the spark plugs won`t fire, keeping the engine from starting.
This is often a sign of low transmission fluid or a faulty transmission control solenoid. As you know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears.
Sticking Shift Solenoids
It clogs solenoids and valves, causing them to stick open or closed. A sticking solenoid will cause a vehicle to remain in gear, neutral, or not upshift.
When a solenoid is first energized, its coil receives a pulse of high inrush current that decreases as the plunger closes. If the plunger does not close, the high inrush current continues, which can cause the coil to overheat and burn out. This is the most common cause of solenoid failure and spotting it is easy.
If you`ve noticed that it`s taking a bit more effort to shift your automatic transmission out of park, it could signify an issue with the shift interlock feature. The shift interlock feature requires you to step on the brake pedal to prevent unintentionally shifting out of Park.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Car gets stuck in park and won’t start SOMETIMES. Hear one click upon starting but starts working after a few times.
ANSWER : The shift interlock and the intermittent starting issue are likely separate issues. However, the brake light issue may be related to the shift interlock problem as the circuitry and components are common. The intermittent starting is relatively easy to diagnose. During the next such episode, simply check for 12 volt power to the starter solenoid with the key held in the start position. If 12 volts is reaching the solenoid with the key in the start position, and the always hot lead to the starter has no voltage drop, that likely means you need a new starter. On the other hand, if there is no power to the solenoid, that means there is an interruption somewhere in the starting circuit. To obtain a resolution of this issue, you can request a hard start diagnostic. With regard to the shift interlock, and brake light issue, the relevant service to request is a shift interlock diagnostic. If you request these services, the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
My 2003 ford explorer wont start up just get click click click click click click click click
ANSWER : If the battery is weak and the voltage is dropping to below 9 volts you will get the clicking without the starter turning the motor. Have the battery voltage checked and if battery cannot hold a load then replace it and clean the battery terminals and recheck system to see if it starts.
My car won’t start, neither does my auto. Start. Sometime it might start if I jump it sometimes it won’t.
ANSWER : Hi there. There are a number of issues that will make a car hard to start. Everything from the electrical system to the fuel system to the actual starter itself can be the problem. Finding the root cause of a hard starting engine can take some investigation. Ignoring a hard starting issue can further damage the vehicle, which will often result in a more expensive repair. You might want to have a mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection so they can pinpoint the source of the issues you’re having and recommend the right repairs be completed.
My car won’t start and it makes a clicking noise.
ANSWER : Based on the information you provided, it sounds like you may need to replace your starter. Your brakes should feel better once you get the vehicle started, unless you have a brake issue. The brake booster will provide about three applications of the brakes with the vehicle turned off until it looses enough vacuum to make the pedal feel harder.
The ABS light indicates that the antilock brakes are not operational. If the light stays on once the vehicle is started and moving, then suspect a wheel speed sensor, as that is the most common ABS fault.
A certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, will be able to determine the exact cause of your starting issue and recommend the necessary repairs.
Only cranks and starts sometimes. When it doesn’t start, I hear a click coming from relay box. I don’t think click is coming from starter
ANSWER : Hello. I believe the starter solenoid is where the "clicking" originates – essentially a giant relay for the starter motor. The contacts do "burn" over time, conducting less and less current each time. Replacing the starter assembly is the cure.
Poor battery cable connections are another source of the "poor starting blues", but cheaper and easier to check. If you have good clean battery connections, and the battery is in good shape, I would recommend having a Starter Replacement Service. A certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your location to perform this repair if you would like a mechanic to come to you.
My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Metallic click sound when putting car in drive or reverse from park, and another click (sometimes) when making a turn.
ANSWER : You may have damaged the axle or strut. I would have the entire front inspected and have the clicking diagnosed. When anyone hits something hard enough to pop a tire there is most likely damage to some component in the area where it was hit. A visual inspection may or may not identify the problem, but a good mechanic can road test and hear the sound and should be able to pinpoint the cause of the clicking noise and recommend a repair.
Map sensor car won’t start up good ?
ANSWER : Your MAP sensor is an important input for your computer. It helps determine the load on the engine to calculate the correct amount of fuel to inject. It sometimes takes a few seconds for the vehicle to realize that the sensor is not producing a good signal.
At that point, it will use other methods to determine the fuel rate, such as pre-programmed fuel maps, throttle position, etc. I would suggest replacing the MAP sensor and retesting. If you would like to have it checked first, a certified technician from YourMechanic will be able to scan your vehicle and test components to determine the root cause of your starting issue before making a repair.
