My 69 Olds occaisionally will not start for me. I turn the key and
the starter will not engage. No click, no anything. The accessories
come on so I know the battery is fine. I believe the problem is a
link to the automatic TH400 transmission from the column mounted
shift. To get her started I can wiggle the gear shift and she
starts. This is an intermittant issue. I think it is an issue with
the shift linkage letting the tranny think it is in gear thus not
engaging the starter? Thoughts? If so any recommendations on a
cure? One friend thinks it is the neutral safety switch but it seems mechanical in nature in that i can wiggle the shifter to get her started.

 

Sounds like your friend is right N/S switch on lower part of column is out of adjustment

 

Yes I agree with ozonbblue, check your neutral safety switch they aren't hard to get to. You will probably find it is loose, I believe they bolt onto the steering column with to screws on either side sort of like ears or tabs. There is a pin protruding from the column that moves the switch to the closed position. Good luck.

 

I agree it is the neutral safty switch, that said, it might be a worn shifter, if you have to hold it back towards park to start, it more than likely is a worn shifter. Or you can bypass the switch altogether and "start and go" at the same time (LOL, sorry had tooo)..

 

If the shifter is worn then wouldn't it be the detent in the transmission that is worn? I didn't think there was a detent in the actual steering column. If you disconnect the link to the transmission the shift lever should slide back and forth smoothly. At least, I thought it did.

 

Neutral safety switch, is the part of the linkage that does that.

No. It is rare for a detent to show any wear.

Yes.

The NS switch is part of the shift linkage, not the detent.

Norm

 

Is the switch something that can be adjusted or should i simply replace it?

 

Yes.

Norm

 

I think the "ears" have slotted holes that allow the position of the switch to move in relationship to the transmisison linkage pin (or pawl? not sure on correct terminology here).