I have a 2008 hyundai santa fe gls 4dr. I originally had a problem with the car starting in park, which at first i thought was the battery as it was still factory. I changed the battery and realized it was not the problem as the car elctronics worked flawless but there was not sound of turn over or clicking just nothing. I soon discovered the car would crank and run as expected when shift release was pressed and the car was put into neutral. I diagnosed it as a neutral safety switch but after driving i realized the car will shift into the park position but it is not recognized by the vehicle and the car easily rolls as if in neutral and makes a clicking sound every few inches(maybe centimeter, a very short distance). so in short my vehicle starts in neutral, rolls in park while clicking, all other gears work fine from what i can tell. Im stumped. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Will the parking pawl affect my ability to crank the car in park?

Asked by zach Feb 07, 2018 at 02:38 PM about the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.7L GLS FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe gls 4dr. I originally had a problem with the
car starting in park, which at first i thought was the battery as it was still
factory. I changed the battery and realized it was not the problem as the car
electronics worked flawless but there was not sound of turn over or clicking
just nothing. I soon discovered the car would crank and run as expected
when shift release was pressed and the car was put into neutral. I diagnosed
it as a neutral safety switch but after driving i realized the car will shift into
the park position but it is not recognized by the vehicle and the car easily
rolls as if in neutral and makes a clicking sound every few inches(maybe
centimeter, a very short distance). so in short my vehicle starts in neutral,
rolls in park while clicking, all other gears work fine from what i can tell. I'm
stumped. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Will the parking pawl
affect my ability to crank the car in park?

3 Answers

34,280

Sounds like a ignition switch housing issue.

2 people found this helpful.
20

I have the same issue lubricate your shifter cable with WD40 or something while someone is working the shifter it will soak up and start going it to park at all you may have to start a neutral for a while until it straightens out also shifted into park like you mean it keep lubricating it will work itself out if not check your neutral safety switch

2 people found this helpful.
20

I solved same problem only yesterday, it's from a device o the gear box called 'starter switch ' it behaves like that when water enters that switch. I just replaced it and I was good to go.

2 people found this helpful.

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