Sportomatic Starting only in Park?

[gduplock]

1968 911L Sportomatic going well but I cannot understand why sometimes I cannot start my engine in Neutral shift position and have to place it in Park position for the ignition to fire the engine.
Any suggestions what's happening?

[taldora_2008]

Hi Graham,

Only just saw this post. I have a 72E Sporto.

Could be a faulty bypass switch or parking switch on the lower part of the gearbox. Could also be a loose or dirty connector or fuse. Do you have a copy of the "Driving With Sportomatic" manual that came with the car? It has a copy of the circuit diagrams for the various lockout conditions.

What are the circumstances? Has it only just started doing this? (ie. has it been previously working correctly?) Was any other work done on the car?

[gduplock]

Thanks for reply. I have a copy of the Sporto Manual. This seems to have been a quirk of the car ever since I have had it which is about 10 years. Doesn't seem to have changed in frequency. I have had a problem with not starting from the ignition switch although there seems to be about 7 volts reaching the solenoid more recently. This has been overcome by installing a direct connection from the battery to the solenoid with a push-button which to start once the ignition has been turned on. I have a spare Bridging switch but not Back-up light switch.

[taldora_2008]

Sounds to me like an ill informed mechanic or previous owner may have modified the switches or wiring. I have seen a few butchered looms. Are you able to test them?