LOL .. I used to have a 67 chevy van ... the neutral safety switch didn't work right so I frequently had to climb under the van with a big honker screwdriver and short out terminals on the solenoid to get it started. It was referred to as my STARTER SCREWDRIVER. It would spark like a welder if I didn't get it right. Worst was middle of winter lying upside down in a salty puddle. Second worst was in traffic coming home from a Dead concert on Exchange street in downtown Rochester - forgot to put it in park first, buddy stepped on the brake to save my legs. Oh the days. Wish I was making this upI had the same issue Polarizer describes above yesterday (single digit temps) - hosed it with WD40 - worked the pawl back and forth as best I could - couldn't see any effect of door switch on pawl - manipulated it with a screw driver and attempted again and it worked. Like Polarizer I would like to know the root cause - meanwhile I am keeping the now official door pawl screwdriver nearby.
I never had any luck messing with the pawl, only thing ever worked for me was lock unlock switch and that's been about 10 times over past 8 years
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