wont start - auto transmission prob

[MacPearce]

my 03 protege es with auto trans is occassionally not starting. the thing i'm noticing is that the shifter will shift from park to R, N, D without the ignition turned or brake pressed during this time. after fiddling with the shifter, it eventually starts, but today it too some time.

any ideas what needs fixing?

[Not Jo3L]

Do you have normal auto tranny or triptronic?

[MacPearce]

triptronic

[MacPearce]

anyone?

[rs39]

Get under/pull top plastic and see what moves to make it think it is in P. Or pan for gold in the shop manual.

http://pdftown.com/PDF-Mazda-Protege-2002-Workshop-Manual.html

Tippers came in late 02, so maybe it's in this year's book

[i12drivemyMP5]

There's a switch that tells the car it's in park. If not in park or the sw is broke or misaligned then it won't start.

[MSP #167]

neutral safety switch is what its called

[MacPearce]

it was the inhibitor switch...thanks everyone