After replacing brake light sensor car will not start

Tiny
SHERYLR
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD MUSTANG
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
I started my car and couldn’t get it out of park. Found out the brake lights didn’t work either, fuses were fine so we replaced the brake light sensor. Now my car won’t start. No clicking, nothing. All the lights go on but it won’t start. Tried resetting the theft mode, didn’t work.
Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 8:44 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good afternoon,

Did you verify the battery is not dead?

Test it with a volt meter and be sure it is 12.6 volts.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Does the car come out of gear now?

Roy
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 9:28 AM
Tiny
SHERYLR
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
We checked the battery, it’s fine.
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
SHERYLR
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Sorry, I can also move the shifter out of park.
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
What is the battery voltage? I need numbers, please.

Roy
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 12:01 PM
Tiny
SHERYLR
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
As soon as my brother in law gets off work I’ll have him run the volt meter. Thanks Roy.
Sheryl
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 12:07 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 12:13 PM
Tiny
SHERYLR
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Okay, so it’s 11.6 and while it’s in park it rolls. But now it starts while it’s in reverse! So reverse is reading neutral. It’s got no park or reverse.
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 2:18 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Okay, 11.6 is a dead battery. It needs to be charged to 12.6 and then see what happens.

Roy
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 2:59 PM
Tiny
SHERYLR
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
We put the car in reverse and it started right up. We put the car in park and it goes in reverse but it goes forward in drive.
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Well, then your reading is wrong on the battery.

Below is the procedure for adjusting the transmission shift cable. You need to do this for it to start in park and neutral.

Roy

Cable Adjustment

1. NOTE: Make sure that the range selector lever is tight against the rearward overdrive stop.

Place the transmission range selector lever in the overdrive position.
2. Raise and support the vehicle.

ImageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

3. Loosen the manual control lever nut.
4. Place the transmission manual control lever in the overdrive position.

ImageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

5. Tighten the nut on the manual control lever.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 4:06 PM
Tiny
SHERYLR
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
All right, we’ll give that a try. Thank you for all your help Roy, I really do appreciate it!
Sheryl
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Monday, April 29th, 2019 AT 8:27 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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Your welcome

Roy
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Tuesday, April 30th, 2019 AT 2:19 AM
Tiny
SHERYLR
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Underneath the car. Anyway thanks again!
Sheryl
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Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 AT 4:25 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Yes, under the car

Roy
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Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 AT 4:43 AM

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