92 SSEi will not turn over

[bill buttermore]

I dug out my old '92 Factory Service Manual (FSM) to verify the Chilton's procedure. It is the same. But the FSM also discusses an adjustment to the shift control cable that runs between the floor shift lever and the transaxle. On one end or the other of the shift control cable is a fitting that allows for adjustment of the cable. In my FSM for the '92, I think it is shown in the engine compartment, but it might be at the console end. (Not clear from the description or pictures.) Here is the procedure for adjustment: Raise adjustment lock tab so that tab is fully raised and allows free movement of cable in adjustment assembly. Press cable firmly into transaxle bracket. Place shift lever in Neutral. Place transaxle in neutral. With lock tab fully raised, push tab down to fully seat in cable adjuster to adjust cable in mounting bracket.

I gotta say, without looking at it in front of me, that last instruction isn't real clear. I suppose when you are staring at the adjuster, it will all make sense.

Let us know how it turns out.

[ColdScrip]

I had a 3/32 drill bit and it was slightly too long as it was hitting a heat shield while I was trying to put it into the service slot. I cut the drill bit and tapered it a bit just in case. An hour later and I still did not feel it slide into a service slot as I rotated the switch. So I said screw it and I watched which direction the cable turned the switch from park to neutral. Since neutral seemed to activate the switch moreso than park I adjusted the switch so that park would be a bit closer to where neutral used to be. Now it only starts in park and neutral like its supposed to. I also tested it a few times and it started everytime. Time will really tell if its adjusted properly. I just thought it was pretty crappy to go by all these instructions and never have the drill bit actually sink into the second service slot.

Bill I was even thinking the cable may need to be adjusted like what you talked about above this post. To confirm this I took both bolts holding the switch completely out. Now I had MUCH more room to move the switch. I STILL did not feel the drill bit slip in and catch into where it should. I figured if the cable needed adjusted to the point where it was outside the normal switch's adjustments that this would tell me that. So you got me on that one. Theres not too much adjustment you can do on that switch with the bolts in (which is how you are suppose to do it). So if you run into where that drill bit idea simply isn't working, just do process of elimination and work your way into a sweet spot.

Odd because the factory service manual even says to use a 3/32 bit.

[bill buttermore]

Service manuals, though helpful, are not always accurate or clear, and are no substitute for ingenuity and common sense. It seems you solved the problem in spite of the instructions and with little $$ expended so, we think you deserve a big Attaboy!

[ColdScrip]

Bit of an update...been driving it everyday since and it has started in Park everytime. No issues whatsoever.