My 1996 ls 400 with 130k on it has an issue with some sort of lockout switch tied to the shifing mechanism, as in... it won'start sometimes but if i wiggle the shifter in park, or move it out & back into park it will start. The battery is about 4 months old & there's no lack of power. Doesn't sound like a solenoid, it is a flat click but not a lack of "juice" click. When I hit the sweet spot it starts right up. It is getting progressively worse. Ideas? Thanks

 

Depends on where you hear the click. Is it the starter relay clicking or the solenoid clicking? What exactly clicks?

 

On most Toyota there is a "neutral safety switch" on the transmission where the shift linkage enters, it will only let the starter engage in park or neutral, it sounds like yours is going bad or out of adjustment.,

 

If the neutral safety switch was bad or out of adjustment would you still hear a click?

 

I guess that depends what is clicking,

if the starter is clicking yea bad contacts and plunger in the starter, the shifter movement is placebo.

but There are a couple of relays that will click when you go to start, fuel pump relay goes to high, ac is cut off etc, that could be the clicking he is hearing, in that case neutral safety switch.

 

Fish guy, couple things to try, put it in drive and try to start it, is that the same click you hear when starting in park? If you don't get your click, more likely starter issue, Then try starting in neutral, if it more reliable in neutral more likely its the neutral safety switch

 

Finally contacted my mechanic & he was 90% sure it was the neutral safety switch & 10% starter problem. He removed the switch, cleaned it with brake clean, applied a heavy dose of dielectric grease & reinstalled the switch. As of today the problem seems to have been fixed. Time to keep my fingers crossed. Guess it's about a 6 hour job to replace the starter! Plus the cost of the part.

 

Any update FishGuy?

I'm faced with nearly identical issue! Where exactly is this "Neutral Safety Switch" located?

 

As it says in post #3 above, "neutral safety switch" on the transmission where the shift linkage enters, In my 93 manual it shows it on the tranny under the exhaust pipe. It also says to take off the front exhaust pipe, I'm not sure if you actually need to, I've never dealt with it.

 

Thanks for the reply Dean! I will look into replacing or repairing this switch tomorrow!

 

The mechanic had a heck of a time getting to it... said 2 long extentions on the socket, did not have to drop the exhaust using them. Good lock. You'll soon hear about my new problem!!