It's usually a really obvious loose connection. Visual checking. Dealership is NO better than Gomer.

 

Since you have an automatic transmission, have you checked out the neutral safety switch?

Those can fail from one start to the next. Sometimes they just move a little so if you shift into neutral or sometimes somewhere in between while trying to crank the engine it will engage the starter motor and crank the engine.

Have your foot on the brake when you do this and maybe do it out of the garage.

 

Not yet. Does anybody know how to remove the starter solenoid wire? It is held on/in by some sort of connector. I removed the outer 'clip' but now what? I have pinched, tugged, etc. Maybe mot hard enough, but I don't want to break something.

Edit: It looks like they changed to a 'plug-in' type connection for later version. And this clip holds it from coming loose. whatever is holding it in is on top where I can't see it.

 

Can you unbolt the starter and let it dangle from the wires until you can figure out how to get it free?

 

I pried harder, and the connector came loose. The catch is on top where you can't see it. Waterproof bellows on a large plug, making this a waterproof connection. Anyways, I found no voltage when testing the solenoid wire while trying to start the car.

The dealer thought it might be the 'security lock' but I went thru the procedure to disarm it to no avail. The dash keeps scrolling "power steering, service esc, service traction, esc off". After reading about others experiences I think it might be the the BCM, but I dunno. It's going to the dealer.