Hi everyone...
When I try to start my 1976 TR6, I often turn the key to the start position
and nothing happens. The IGN light glows, all power in auto is working,
but engine doesn't turn over. Now here's the mysterious behavior: if I
move the shift lever from side to side, including moving over the Reverse
detent, the car will sometimes turn over! Here are some observations I
made before writing for help:
When the car does sometimes turn over whilst moving the lever, it seems to
do so at the point of resistance at entering the reverse position.
The reverse lights DO come on when moving the shift lever into the reverse
position. I thought perhaps the reverse light switch had some sort of
interrupter in it to prevent the car from starting if the lever was in the
reverse position and perhaps the switch was combined with the reverse light
switch.
There is no safety belt interlock on this car that I could ascertain. I
buckled the belts just in case while trying to start.
I replaced the ignition switch, all is OK there. All contacts checked with
meter for continuity when key is turned to START and there is continuity.
I removed wires from the starter selenoid, check for continuity when key to
start, checked out ok, so I know at least switch is doing what it is
supposed to do.
Checked battery for sufficient power, seems ok. Also used a battery
charger/quick start and car still would not turn over.
My thoughts... might there be another switch that I haven't yet located
that prevents the car from starting in gear and perhaps that switch is
faulty causing the starting system to think the car is in gear when it
isn't? I am about to pull the transmission cover from inside the car so
that I can get a look at it's topside for another switch, but thought I'd
ask before undertaking this job. Might it be totally unrelated to the
wiggling of the shift lever and that's just a coincidence? Anyone ever
hear of this type of problem? Seems to me like some sort of an interlock
switch problem, but in looking in the books I have I can't figure it out.
Thanks for any input.
Blake Discher
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