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Difficult start

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Johnny66 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Johnny66 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Difficult start
    Posted: Oct/08/2021 at 9:42pm
I have 66 ambassador with the 232. Its an auto on column. I had Borg Warner tranny rebuilt last year. Now I have to keep putting it in park until it starts. Feel like its getting worse.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wittsend Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/08/2021 at 11:33pm
"Now I have to keep putting it in park until it starts."

I don't know an Auto trans that doesn't have to be in Park (or Neutral) to start. It is called the "Neutral safety" to make sure the car doesn't start with the car set up in gear. Otherwise once the pressure builds in the transmission and the internal clutch or band applies the car will lurch forward unexpectedly.

If you mean (but did not state) that the car will not crank over in the "N" (Neutral) position, the neutral safety switch is likely defective or mis-adjusted. I can't speak for your Ambassador but I believe the switch is located on the steering column on my '63 American. On other cars I have found it located on the transmission.
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Johnny66 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Johnny66 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/09/2021 at 7:51am
Your right. I have to take it out of park then put it back in park like 3 or 4 times until " something " must happen, then it starts. It should start in neutral?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wittsend Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/09/2021 at 4:11pm
Park is just Neutral with an added claw that grabs onto a part of the transmission to keep the car from rolling if the emergency brake isn't on.

Yes, all things being proper an Automatic car (especially 60's vintage) should start in Neutral. But this is a "do at your own risk". If there is mis-adjustment in the shift lever or the neutral safety switch the car could be what is considered "In Gear" for an automatic and turning the key may cause the car to start in that undesirable situation.

Read up/search for information regarding your specific car.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote First_Gear Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/09/2021 at 5:53pm
Its a little black box on the steering column. First try adjusting it. Its on slots and can move around a bit. If that doesn't work try the vendors galvins ADP someone almost certainly has one.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bigbad69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/09/2021 at 8:48pm
If it sorta, kinda works some of the time, it could need adjustment as First said. The shifter mechanism could also be out of adjustment, or the linkage is worn.
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Johnny66 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Johnny66 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/10/2021 at 10:37am
Thanks , I going to bet it just needs adjusting. Didn't it start just fine today. I finally found it in my TSM. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote vinny Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/12/2021 at 5:04am
Be careful with it not to break it. My experience is that those switches are very rare and hard to find. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FSJunkie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/13/2021 at 1:13am
Classic neutral safety switch problem.

Adjust it, clean it, or replace it. 
1955 Packard
1966 Marlin
1972 Wagoneer
1973 Ambassador
1977 Hornet
1982 Concord D/L
1984 Eagle Limited
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gelalthedamned Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/14/2021 at 1:48am
You know there’s a bypass right, mine starts in any gear.. which is immensely fun sometimes (burnouts on crank stroke = git)
*ground at the solenoid 
Calamity - 73 Gremlin X zombie rod (daily driver)
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