Starter Inhibit switch

[EA1191]

Does the starter inhibit switch serve any useful purpose on an automatic?
Old model cars did not have them and there were stories of cars using the starter to move the car a short distance.
The engine sometimes does not turn over on the first turn of the key and suspect there are poor contacts in the solenoid circuit.
Thinking of shorting it out. Shorted the Steering Pressure switch and maybe saved some fuel.

[BJ]

Originally Posted by EA1191

Does the starter inhibit switch serve any useful purpose on an automatic?
Old model cars did not have them and there were stories of cars using the starter to move the car a short distance.
The engine sometimes does not turn over on the first turn of the key and suspect there are poor contacts in the solenoid circuit.
Thinking of shorting it out. Shorted the Steering Pressure switch and maybe saved some fuel.

I hate to tell you but older cars do have an inhibiter switch, it is there so as the car will not start in gear, it is a safeyt device. The steering switch is there to tell the engine what revs it need when the power steering is used.The fuel savings would not be that great.

my inhibitor switch went on mine and i had to get under the bonnet to bypass it to start the car. nearly ran myself over once.

[Psycho Chicken]

Even if you shorted it, it won't be able to move the car with the starter motor, there won't be enough pressure in the valve body to engage a gear.