Engine dies in D but not in R???

[rs25com]

Bear with me as I am a new owner of an MX-3, V6, 1992. The car was sitting for 6 months + and it starts, idles, and will go in reverse just fine. However, when I put it in D the engine dies IMMEDIATELY. No amount of revving or rolling or coaxing of any kind will convince the engine to run while in D.

Any thoughts? I am new to this car, and will try to pull engine codes, but I am guessing it has to be a sensor or switch of some sort.

I would love to get this thing to drive so I can move it to a safe garage (it's on the street now with no plates) so your help would be GREATLY appreaciated!!!

-James

<small>[ September 18, 2004, 06:03 PM: Message edited by: rs25com ]</small>

[IanL]

There are a number of things which could be the cause. Most likely ones are the P/N switch signal (ECU terminal 1R or Transaxle CU terminal 1D - should be battery volts other than in P and N), ATF level and condition (easy to check - nice if it fixes the problem!).

Others: Transaxle Range Switch adjustment/fault, Line Pressure Test, Throttle Pressure Test, Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Valve, Transaxle Control Module. You need special test gear for most of these, so it's a job for a specialist.

<small>[ September 19, 2004, 03:22 AM: Message edited by: IanL ]</small>

[rs25com]

Hey, the P/N switch - is that located under the shifter, a little black box with a grey rod that comes out and goes around the metal rod that connects to the shifter?

When I bought the car, the shifter release would not work, so I popped to consoles off and tried to figure out why. Someone had destroyed the key release (to the right of the shifter) and I could not figure out how to release it, so I simply bent it about 1/2" to the right to allow the shifter arm to move. Now it moves, so I can get it in gear, but you are saying that switch is sending a signal, right?

I thought it was the lockout mechanism, and simply moved the lockout arm out of the way or something.

How do I make the shifter interlock disable when I turn on the ignition? I think this is the most likely problem.

THANKS!

[rs25com]

I guess I should clarify a little more:

In the automatic car, you have to press the button on the side of the shifter in to move the gear selector. When I bought it, the button could not be depressed. Under the console the button has a pin/rod that moves when you depress the button. However, right now it strikes a metal assembly.

My quick fix was to bend the metal blocking assembly out of the way so I could move the shifter arm without having to depress the button on the shifter. Sounds like I need to bend it back, but how does that lock-out thing work? Is there a cable or relay that is broken?

[rs25com]

And the solution was:

The intake tube from between the air filter box and the manifold had a tear in it. Obviously the MAF was measuring the air, but the vacuum leak was causing problems.

In addition, I bent the arm back under the console and manually engaged it. Now it starts, idles, and runs fine.

Thanks!