My 1996 E 320 will not start when it is in park. If I shift to nuetral, it starts easily and then, I can shut it off, put it in park and re-start it with no problem. What could this be?

 

is your foot on the brake pedal?

 

yes, I have tried it both ways. It is just dead until I put it in neutral, then it starts. I have had the car over a year and this is a new problem. I was just hoping someone else had experienced this who could give me some advise.

 

maybe u have some problem with the starter relay.

 

Could be either the shifter "most likely" , the shift lock cable, or the ignition switch. Is it showing P on your instrument cluster when you put it in park? If it does not since that it is in pakr or neuteral then it will not start. It is easy to put it up to park but not all the way, every thing I said only applys if your shifter is in the center console"on the floor". Sometimes the paddle gets bent back on the sifter, sometimes the shiftlock cable moves, but I think your problem is in the shifter. Autogunner.

 

thanks, that gives me some direction to pursue with the mechanic.

I will let you know what I find out.