Engine only turns over in 1st gear?

[WhatsAGorski]

Anybody ever experienced this weird problem?

If I try to start the van in neutral, it will crank but not turn over. If I put the shifter into 1st and hold in the clutch it will turn over. This is a newer phenomenon on this van, it used to fire up flawlessly every time.

1987 4x4 manual cargo.

[llamavan]

The 2nd generation (86-89) Vans have a neutral safety start switch — you must hold down the clutch pedal to start the van. It can be in neutral (or any gear); however, you must step on the clutch unless the NSSS isn't functioning.

Gwen

[WhatsAGorski]

The strange thing about what's happening is that the van will not turn over when the transmission is in neutral. I cannot for the life of me think of what could be happening that putting it into first fixes the issue.

[Burntboot]

I'm confused, in my world cranking and turning over are the same thing.

Does it only crank(turn over) with the key turned and the trans in 1st or does it turn over(crank) all the time, but will only fire & run, when trans is in 1st?

[WhatsAGorski]

When I say crank, I mean the starter motor is working.

So here's the scenario:
Manual transmission in neutral, clutch in (ie, pushed down). Turn key and the starter goes but the engine does not start.
Put the transmission into first, clutch in, turn key and the starter goes and the engine catches and starts.

Very strange.

[Burntboot]

Strange indeed.
There is nothing I am aware of, that would link gear position with ignition

If it were me, I would be checking all the ground straps, I have seen cars do weird things when grounding is insufficient.
Only other thing would be to make sure that linkages aren't fowling harnesses and causing problems.

[Andywear]

are you pushing the brake peddle when it is in 1st and turning over?

should be a switch on the brake peddle, perhaps there is a crossed connection between the clutch switch and the brake switch.