94 4runner 180k miles 3.slow AT

bought this truck last week, changed the fluids and observing the truck for other problems .. (i think i might need a headgasket soon)

started it today, the clock and radio would light up when i turn the key but when i started it both of them turned off.

shut off truck and did process again .. same thing

then i put turck in drive, it shut down, i put it back in park it starts up again(?) did this a couple of times .. i noticed that whenever i hit Neutral it shutsdown but Park Drive and Reverse it starts up .. its magic ... scary magic

any help and advice would be appreciated

 

I'd start with the Park-Neutral switch http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...34electron.pdf . You should never be able to start it in Drive/Reverse.

You could have a bad ignition switch. The clock/radio are on in "ON" position Engine-Off, but turn off in the "ON" position with engine running? Does your "Batt" light work (on when Engine-off, off with Engine-running.)?

 

funny, started truck again 10 mins ago everything works fine now ... clock light and radio are on when engine is running, tried changing gears and no stalling ...

but yes prior to it running normal again, the clock and radio go on when the key is in the ON position, but once started they both go off. Battery light lights up when key is in the ON position

and fwiw it stalled when i hit neutral but once i shift it into D the engine starts by itself ... true story same with R and P