Won't start- gearshift suspected

[werkenklasse]

Hey Guys,
Have a 2001 F350 PSD CCLB 4x4 Auto Lariat with 182k miles. Recently, I have had some trouble with the truck not starting. When I turn the key everything turns on like it suppose to and the wait to start light comes on. When I try to crank it, there is this click sound coming below the dash. I have now figured out that when I jiggle the gearshift right before I crank, it usually works. Is there some sort of safety switch in the gearshift that is beginning to malfunction? Thanks.

[dazdillenger]

the transmission range sensor is located on the drivers side underneath the truck. It is bolted to the transmission. Before replacing it, put the parking brake on, put the truck in neutral. Go underneath the truck, and loosen the sensor. Once you loosen it, spin it until the 2 dots align. Once they do, tighten the sensor. Should be good to go.

You must do this in neutral, not park. The sensor has 2 bolts, and one large oval plug facing the front of the trans.

[erbilabuc]

before all that instead of trying to start it in park go down to neutral and see if it starts. If it does start in neutral without jiggling the key then the gear selector arm bolts are probably loose and not letting the gear selector go all the way to park. The bolts are under the dash and the best way to get to them is put the back of your head on the brake pedal and look up to where it connects to steering column. There are 2 Torx bolts and Im willing to bet one or both is loose.

[werkenklasse]

Hmm, sounds like two causes. Once the truck has cooled down I am going to look underneath the truck at the range sensor then check the column bots. Another suggestion was that the key was so worn it didn't activate the tumblers enough to start the truck. The key wasn't really bad but I used a different key anyway and so far so good.

[erbilabuc]

if the tumblers were the problem the key would be a pain to turn at all. I had same problem and it was the 2 bolts at column but there are so many variables. Has your truck ever popped out of park?

[werkenklasse]

No, but it has popped out of drive before.

[erbilabuc]

How long ago? I think its your bolts and its going to get worse. Mine popped out of park twice and I didnt take it serious until the second time where it went down the road and took out 2 cement posts.

[werkenklasse]

I just checked under the dash at those gearshift bolts. Wow! They were really loose. I tightened them up and the gearshift shifts a lot better. You mentioned that it is going to get worse. Do I need to replace the bolts?

[dazdillenger]

use some light duty locktite on them. Never worry again.

[erbilabuc]

Originally Posted by werkenklasse

I just checked under the dash at those gearshift bolts. Wow! They were really loose. I tightened them up and the gearshift shifts a lot better. You mentioned that it is going to get worse. Do I need to replace the bolts?

What I meant was if you didnt tighten them it would get worse like pop out of gear and park. Put locktite or check them every so often. Can I ask if the "put the back of your head on the brake pedal" reference was a good reference or no? Its the only way I can tell people so they dont have to search for those 2 little bolts.