2001 Buick Regal Intermittent No Start

[kielu84]

Hello, everyone,

I’m hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I recently purchased a low-mileage 2001 Buick Regal LS to use as my daily driver, and it’s been a fantastic car so far.

Lately, though, I’ve run into an issue where the starter doesn’t engage when I turn the key. If I move the console-mounted shifter back and forth or shift it into neutral, the car will start.

Based on this, I suspected the neutral safety switch (mounted on top of the transmission) might be the culprit, so I replaced it. Unfortunately, that didn’t resolve the problem.

I don’t think the issue is related to the anti-theft system or the ignition key, but I could be wrong.

Has anyone experienced something similar or have any suggestions?

Thank you

[Schurkey]

Is there an adjustment for the "neutral safety switch"?  (I think it's actually a "transmission position switch".)

Faulty ignition switch?  Burnt/worn contacts?

Failing starter relay?

Failing starter motor?

Intermittent problem with the starter solenoid wire harness?  Poor connection, loose connector?

[kielu84]

It's called a neutral safety switch, according to Rock Auto, where I ordered the part.

I was thinking the cable linkage connected to the safety switch might need adjustment.

I don't believe the starter is the issue, as that wouldn’t explain why moving the shift lever makes it start when it initially doesn’t.

It all boils down to when it wont start, if I just move the shift lever through the gears and into neutral, it starts every time.

It hasn't done it in a couple of days now.

[GnatGoSplat]

If it consistently behaves that way and isn't intermittent, I'd recommend clipping a multimeter or test light across ground and the starter solenoid input terminal.  Do the initial crank that doesn't start it, see if the light or meter shows voltage.  If no or low voltage, I'd attempt to adjust the neutral safety switch.  If it shows at least 12V, then it could need a new starter.

I've had a starter go intermittent like that before.  Probably was the solenoid, but that's not typically serviced separately (you can, but most people don't).