Starting switch

[Jereme]

My 2000 Ford Ranger 4X4 won,t start. It's an automatic. When I put it in park I have to really push on it before it would start. Now it won't start at all.It's not the battery.

 

[Rangurr]

What do you mean by "really push on it before it would start?" Is it not cranking at all? Is it trying and just never actually turning over?

 

[adsm08]

Also, was putting it in park a determining factor here? Did it always start ok in Neutral?

 

[RonD]

My 2000 Ford Ranger 4X4 won,t start. It's an automatic. When I put it in park I have to really push on it before it would start. Now it won't start at all.It's not the battery.

I assume you mean push on the shifter so the Neutral Safety Switch(NSS) would allow starter to come on????

Does it start in Neutral?

There is a cable from the shifter to the transmission, the NSS is on the transmission and is adjustable, but check the cable "jacket" first, from firewall to transmission, could even be an issue under the dash.
If the "jacket" breaks then cable push/pull distance changes so you don't get reliable travel distance.
Think of cable brakes on bicycle or motorcycle.