Cause
Open circuit in interlock wiring
A break in a starter or shift interlock circuit — not the high voltage interlock loop of an electric vehicle, which is a different system entirely and is separately described. This one prevents cranking or shifting unless a condition is met.
Its failure leaves a healthy vehicle immobile, which is the point of a permission circuit: no crank, or a selector that will not leave park. That is correct behaviour rather than a fault in the interlock's own terms. Test at the switch that feeds it — a clutch, neutral or brake switch reporting the wrong state produces the identical symptom with intact wiring, and those are commoner than a broken conductor. Never bypass an interlock to move a vehicle; it exists to stop the engine cranking in gear.
Typically a moderate job.
Codes this can cause (1)
Codes where this is a likely explanation first, rather than merely a possible one.
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