I have a 97 F150 4.6 automatic 4x4. When I try to start the engine the starter grinds like it's not engaging the flywheel unless you pull back on the shifter then it fires right up. It had issues with the shifter tube, the tube was broken, the screws at the end of the tube were loose, and the bushings were wore out. I fixed these and that took the play out of the shifter, but I still have to pull back on the shifter to avoid the grinding and to get the engine to start. Any ideas?

 

I have a friend with a Chevy that keeps having to replace starters, because they either die or don't engage properly. Even techs at auto electric places cannot seem to get it right. Something to do with shims, and they can never seem to shim it properly. When you "pull back" on the shifter, are you actually shifting the transmission, or just leaning against the stop that keeps you from shifting out of Park? It seems that if the shifter position is changing the engagement of the starter, it might be a transmission problem. Maybe there is an alignment issue with the tranny.