So I've been looking around under the hood of my newly-aquired 245, and still am stumped as to why I can't get the car to start with a turn of the key, as well as get the car out of gear without using the shiftlock override. I'm guessing both are related, and not sure what's causing it.

I've checked fuses 7 and 12, both are in there tight and other things controlled by those fuses are working fine. The negative terminal on my battery is fine, the battery is new, and I still have to 'hotwire' the car off of the small connector on the starter solenoid to the positive on the battery. When I park, I can turn the car off when turning the key to off. The brake lights work fine as well, so the brake switch shouldn't be the problem.

I'm guessing it's something with the shifter solenoid (would that prevent the car from being started?), some relay (?), the neutral safety switch (can i easily replace or bypass it to test?) or perhaps a ground somewhere.

Any suggestions, especially given that the car was fine when parked a year ago, but now is acting goofy when it comes to starting and shiftlock interference? Would the neutral safety switch 'stick' over time?
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Adam
1997 850 Wagon Auto
1991 240 Wagon Auto
2004 Saab 9-5 Aero 5sp