2002 td5 auto help needed

2002 TD5 auto 95,000 miles. Won't start in P or N. Dash lights don't dim. No clicks from starter. I thought it may be an inhibitor switch fault but apparently there is no inhibitor switch on these models just an interlock switch. the only way to get it started is to bridge the starter relay with the ignition on then it goes immediately. Trouble is apart from being a bit inconvenient it looks as if I'm trying to steal my own motor. I need to get this sorted so I would be grateful for any help anyone can give. Cheers

I had the same thing on mine last week! I moved the gear lever to position "1" and then back to "P" and it started; however, you may have a totally different problem altogether!

Thanks Salisburylander but I did the same as you when the problem first kicked off but now its no go!

a common fault is the starter solenoid contacts wearing out. becomes intermitent or fails completely. cheap fix, about a tenner. loads on fleebay.

what about the simple things:
1. check fuse F23 in the interior fusebox
2. rule out the starter relay itself(cos it can have the coil interrupted, or the ignition switch doesnt close to crank position) first swap R2(starter) with R3(headlamp wash) for test ...if no joy measure with voltmeter if you get voltage from the ignition as follows:
3. with relay removed(there's a scheme on it with leg disposal) put voltmeter's (+) instead of terminal 85 and (-) to 86 and ask somebody to crank with ignition... if no feed put (-) to body and see again, if no feed it's the ignition switch or wiring to fusebox, if yu have feed this way we'll speak then cos it becomes complicated as the earth path must come from the BCU

make sure all the plugs in the fuseboxes are well connected and F23 tight...the interior one used to suffer by water ingress/corrosion at plugs and the one from engine bay from oil ingress if the ECU red plug is over ingressed due to injector loom

by the way when you select P or N is that displayed in the LCD?

Thanks Sierrafery, I will check out your advice over the next few days. The lcd lights do not come on when selecting P or N Thanks for your input

if the selector's position is not displayed on the odometer LCD it means the input doesnt get to the BCU from the XYZ switch and that's the problem then cos the BCU doesnt complete the earth path to the starter relay...that's why i asked...untill you fix it for good you can give direct earth to the relay's coil and then it will start on ignition regardless of the gear selection... if you have RAVE i can tell you on which wire...but that's just a temporary bodge cos you need the selector position display on the dash IMO