Versa will crank but not start in Park, but will in neutral

[bryanski]

I have a 2007yr versa that will crank and start 50% of the time in Park but during the times it only cranks but will not start, I put it into Neutral and it will start. To me it seems like a safety switch but I don't know how to proceed in finding the problem.. I see a micro switch on the automatic shifter and a cable going from in up to the steering column. Any help would be greatly appreciated.....

[ezb57e]

The neutral safety switch is out on the trans, and you should start by taking take a look and make sure its not mis-adjusted, corroded, damaged etc.

[bryanski]

Question: if it is the neutral safety switch will the car still crank over because mine does? Given the difficulty in getting to this neutral switch I've tested the micro switch at the automatic gear shifter and jumped it out and it still cracks but not start. I've also pushed the shift lock on the automatic gear shifter which manual closes the solenoid but that doesn't help in the start starting. I also see a cable from the automatic gear shifter up to the steering column and wonder if it also may be the problem but I don't understand it's purpose?

Again I'd appreciate any help anyone would offer. thanks

[ezb57e]

If it cranks in P and N, the neutral switch is working.
You said it wouldn't crank in P, right?
The shift lock has nothing to do with the engine cranking or starting.
Its purpose is to keep the shift lever from being moved out of P unless the brake pedal is depressed.
Are you sure it will always start in N? That doesn't make a lot of sense but could be possible.
You might have an issue that will be difficult to diagnose over the internet.

[bryanski]

No not always but occasionally if it doesn't start in park my daughter will shift it into neutral and 50% of the time it will start. More than likely it seems to help if the shifter is moved from park to neutral. Some times she just needs to wait a few minutes but soon I'm concerned she will become stranded. Car always cranks both in park and neutral but doesn't always start.
1) I've jumped out the micro switch and manually pushed in the solenoid in the gear shifter and neither has helped.
It just seems like it is some sort of switch that is preventing it from starting. Cranks every time just doesn't always start.
Thanks for responding....

[bryanski]

I've spent most of the day trying to troubleshoot the problem. I'm now wondering if my problem isn't the ignition switch isn't sensing the chip in the key or whether the key even has a chip in it???

[ezb57e]

When you turn the key ON, is there a little red symbol of a car with a exclamation point in it?

[bryanski]

ezb57e just checked that and your correct it did show a car with an exclamation point in it. Twice I just turned the key around and it started up but this isn't always the case. Do you think this maybe the chip in the key or the ignition switch??????

[ezb57e]

Is that light on when it wont start, regardless of P or N?

[bryanski]

Yes we've been keeping an eye on the dash gauges and it does show a car with a key in it each time we turn the key and when it displays then Versa does not start. Do you thing it's the key/chip or the ignition switch that's the problem?