The starter should be inhibited on an auto unless it's in "P" or "N". Most people know that. (This got a mention again recently in the fuel gauge & battery thread).

But I'd always assumed that there were some contacts near the gear lever which closed in "P" and "N". So I was surprised to find that the engine could be started without any hitch when the floor and gear lever (and associated wiring) were removed. The explanation could have been that the contacts work the other way round - open in "P" and "N" - and inhibit the starter via a relay but this would be less "fail-safe" and anyway David Miller (IIRC) provided the explanation that the contacts are in fact inside the gearbox.

I thought I would just mention this for the record (a) so no-one wastes time looking for them in the wrong place, and (b) in case anyone is thinking, as I did, "how am I going to start it with the floor out?".

As far as I know these contacts have never been found to be the cause of starting problems (provided you are actually in P/N) but just because they're not right next to the gearstick doesn't mean, if they're iffy, that a good wriggle of the stick might not clear a problem there.

Any comments?

- (#9901) Dave Mason (Sussex), 5 Apr 04 08:20

The unit bolts onto the right hand side of the gearbox. If you have disconnected the gearshift and removed it while the floor is out you should be able to start the engine in gear!!!!!

- (#9901) Clive (Bristol), 5 Apr 04 13:06

Not actually, Clive. The only time it'll start in gear is if you physically remove the switch from the side of the tranny...

- (#9901) david miller, 5 Apr 04 15:32

Dave, these DO sometimes give trouble on Townies, I have had a couple of people with Townies locally not able to start, hold the key in start position & wiggle the lever a bit & it starts, remove the switch & clean it with switch cleaner & it's as good as new. So I always mention it, even if it does turn out to be the voltage drop problem.

Regards Rob.

- (#9901) Rob Drinkwater, 5 Apr 04 15:34