Weird starting problem with my SL1

[tbirddad]

So I have a 2000 SL1.
Would not start. When I turn the key all lights come on normal. Battery fine.
Will not start in Park or neutral.
I changed the neutral safety switch on advice from a Saturn forum.
Now, will not start in Park
Will start perfectly fine in neutral.
When running, if I put the car in neutral and turn off the car, and then try to start again, while it remains in neutral, it will not start.
But if I move the shifter to Park and back to neutral, starts up just fine.
Very confused.

[fdryer]

You may have two or three separate issues so troubleshooting one may solve all issues or at least eliminate one problem before moving on to the second one. Power and starting circuit are the two issues that comes to mind. A third issue may be a worn out starter. Power should be checked first. Without power, starting circuits cannot work to enable a starter to run. Be sure all testing is done in Park position and parking brake engaged.

How old is the battery? Are both battery cables clean, free of corrosion, not loose on the battery? Two main grounds are used, chassis and engine block - check them for loose, corroded connections. A quick way to test battery and connections would be shorting the two starter terminals, the outer large terminal with battery cable to the small terminal with a single purple wire. Leave ignition OFF. Shorting these two terminals on the starter should result in starter operation, turning over the engine. Either the battery/cables are fine and power the starter or not. Try this several times as you're bypassing the entire starting circuit to get the starter to run. Several consistent operation of this starter verifies battery, cables, their connections and starter. If the starter doesn't operate each time perfectly, battery testing should be performed at any store selling car batteries. They should have free battery testing to determine if a battery is on its last legs, needs charging or in perfect condition. Finding a perfect battery test then points to a worn out starter (if original). The starting circuit test requires a multimeter.

When turning the ignition switch to the START position, the ign switch sends 12v to the small terminal on the starter that powers the solenoid. Measuring voltage on the small terminal should have the meter show battery voltage as long as the ign switch is held in the START position. Beware that starter operation is expected every time when starting. Disconnecting the small gauge purple wire is safer but battery negative should be disconnected first then purple wire to avoid contacting the battery cable connection with tools resulting in battery arcing or grounding battery power to the starter case. After disconnecting battery negative then the small wire to the starter, reconnect battery negative to perform the starting circuit test. 12v is on the small purple wire only when ign is in START position.

[Cheyne]

Did you get the switch adjusted properly so that you have continuity when Drive is selected?

[tbirddad]

I just replaced the old NSS with a new one.
Perhaps you are on to the problem.
Where is there information on how to properly put in the new switch?

[Cheyne]

Video on adjusting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjwxw8A08Sw

[tbirddad]

Thank you Cheyne.
That makes sense.
I’ll let you know what the result is.
I appreciate your response!

[tbirddad]

So I hooked up the multimeter as directed and adjusted it.
Super easy to do.
I didn’t have to remove anything but I did disconnect the battery.
Works fine!
Thanks for the help!