When shifting into D my car stays in Neutral

[Blackfin]

I've been searching the site and can't find a thread with someone who had a similar issue.
Lately when I start the car and shift to D, the trans stays in neutral. I have to shift it back up to N and then back to D and it goes into gear. I have no problems starting the car or shifting into reverse, only D. Has anyone encountered this issue and and recommendations?
Thanks

 

[TerryA]

Your shift linkage may need new bushings.

 

[Blackfin]

Thanks Terry. Shifter bushings were done by previous (and original) owner about 20k miles ago. Also have record trans was rebuilt at 82k miles (now has about 100k) but I was feeling the trans slipping on some upshifts lately. I added some Lucas Trans fix which has been helped with that though I know it might be temporary.
I have a feeling I might have a lower wiring harness that needs work since I have been having some oil pressure gauge issues and was wondering if the lower wiring harness would have anything to do with this issue.
Also, is their an easy way to check if the lower harness has been changed like we can with the upper harness without having to get under the car?

 

[nocfn]

you can search the date code on the harness label on the passenger firewall, near clamshell IIRC. If you find the date code to be past production of your car, most likely the oil pressure sensor is OE and needs replacement - cheap and easy. Shifter bushings describe your issue with finding the gears, and the rod itself may be loosed possibly someone felt the need to remove the unit instead of just replacing the bushings....or didn't locate things right. All easy fixes. The issues on the shifting should be looked into once you get the gear selection ironed out. If you have little experience with the trans of this vintage - over filling is a bad idea. Dropping the pan to drain along with the TC , refill with Redline juice at proper levels and the filter upgrade to the SL verison might get all that taken car of. Bowden cable / vacuum line and connections refreshed as well. Usually it is a loss of reverse that plagues the tranny.

 

[gsxr]

Thanks Terry. Shifter bushings were done by previous (and original) owner about 20k miles ago.

Inspect both bushings and make sure both still have zero play. The shift lever should have zero play in any position.

I have a feeling I might have a lower wiring harness that needs work since I have been having some oil pressure gauge issues and was wondering if the lower wiring harness would have anything to do with this issue.

The lower harness only goes to the starter, alternator, and oil pressure/level sensors. This will have nothing to do with the transmission.

Also, is their an easy way to check if the lower harness has been changed like we can with the upper harness without having to get under the car?

You can look for a date code on the label for the upper harness. More info at the threads below:

Help Finding Wiring Harness Dates | Electrical, CAN and Wiring

Hi all. Sorry for what seems to be an obvious question but I've been through all the threads 4x....I'm confused and spinning my wheels at this point. I can only find one date code label, which I believe is the upper harness. (pictured) Can someone please confirm this is the upper, and...

www.500eboard.co

Date of production engine harness | Electrical, CAN and Wiring

I'm examining the engine harness because my starter harness is in poor condition, and I plan to repair it with new wires. However, the main harness appears to be in good shape and seems to have silicone cables inside. I found a label with a number on it, but I'm uncertain about the three...

www.500eboard.co

 

[Blackfin]

Thanks guys. I’m going to check the shift bushings and also remembered my shift knob was changed to a wooden one and perhaps the rod was not tightened down.
My upper harness is from 2011 so I’m good there.
Not sure about lower harness.
Ordering a new oil pressure sensor and see if that fixes the oil pressure issue.
When I power the car on it jumps straight to 3.
Stays pegged there regardless of RPM/speed/at idle until the oil warms up. Then eventually it starts coming down but never went below 1.5 even at idle. I also noticed my gas gauge and oil pressure gauge would start fluttering while at idle randomly.

But the new label on going into the firewall on passenger side is for the upper harness, is their a way of seeing if the lower harness has been replaced by checking a label or is the only way by getting under the car and checking it at the sender and alternator or starter?

Thanks again guys. This is without a doubt the best community and forum out there for support for any car/brand I’ve ever seen.

 

[gsxr]

But the new label on going into the firewall on passenger side is for the upper harness, is their a way of seeing if the lower harness has been replaced by checking a label or is the only way by getting under the car and checking it at the sender and alternator or starter?

There should be a label on the lower harness too... might take some effort to locate it, then hopefully it's legible so you can read the 2 dates on it. If you cannot find the lower harness label, the only other method is to get under the car.

If there's no record from the previous owner(s) about lower harness replacement, it's likely original. While probably 80-90% of upper harnesses have been replaced by now, I'd estimate the opposite for the lower harness... probably only 10-20% replaced.

 

[nocfn]

if you look behind the CAN box, tucked under you will find a harness going to and under a plastic cover. Follow that harness back up to the firewall "clam shell" and that is the lower harness you look for. Under the passenger side you will see it connect to the oils pressure sender, then to the starter. "IF" you replace this harness with a rebuilt or new, you will want to remove the bracket on the engine end prior to install and removal of the old, and get a long piece of narrow diameter rope at least 8' long. This makes life very easy to replace this sucker in under an hour (save for the fidly itty bitty starter screws....)