I have a good charge on the battery, and lights turn on as normal when I turn the key, but the engine will not turn over. Note: over the last several months, occasionally, I would have to push the shift lever a little bit past the Park setting, in order to start the car. This little trick no longer works. So basically, it wont turn, wont start. Can someone give me a list of things to check/replace? (cheapest first.) I have a feeling it may have something to do with the shift lever, I have new plugs and wires from 6 months ago. It has always started right up without hesitation. Thanks

Does the engine crank over but not start?

Sounds like bad battery connections or ground. Brake lights on permanently may be draining battery also. Brake light issue may be switch at pedal out of position or adjustment.

Most likely, the problem you are dealing with is a dead battery. The reason this is apparent is you said "there is no clicking noise like a bad starter, it just does nothing..." Normally, if there is any charge at all in the battery, you will get the clicking noise you describe as the ignition circuit is trying to charge the solenoid that turns over the starter and turns on the engine. If you have a battery jumper box available, your S40 will probably start at the first flick of you ignition key if your battery is fairly new. To hook up the battery box, just place the clips as you would standard jumper cables, red to red (+) on the battery and black (-) to a good ground point on the engine (it has to be solid metal-to-metal contact). Then turn key to fire up the engine. Once your car has started you have to run it about 10 miles to put any sort of charge back into the battery. If the battery won't hold the charge then it is time to replace it.

no crank this is called, cars (A/T) do not start unless cranked first.
the page covers it. all i need was the no crank
and at the end of page the tricks with A/T .
http://www.fixkick.com/nocrank.html#tricks

this page covers every way possible to cause , NO CRANK.

my guess. is a bad PRNDL (prindle) switch.
try starting in neutral , try wiggling the shifter to get the silly switch to work. all A/T cars do this. all.
in my M./T car if my clutch switch fails i carry a bypass plug.
i got way far off road. where there are no tow trucks.

the one thing you forgot was the jumper cable test.
and it will not start, proving the your battery was not and issue
and 12.6vdc at the battery , (rested) shows it was charged
and your light tests, are all good checks, few , know to test HL. First.

Very likely bad battery. Most places that sell them will install for free.

1. So the car was running normally and then on one occasion you put in the key to start it and all the warning lights flash up on the dash and the starter motor will not turn the engine over. Is that correct.

2. When you last drove the car were any warning lights appearing on the dash.such as check engine warning, engine overheating, electrical charging warnings etc.\

3. Has any work been carried out on the car recently.

4. How old is the battery in the car.

If the battery light comes on while your are driving than the alternator is not charging. The battery light comes on to tell you there is a problem with the charging system not the battery. It is normal for the light to come on when you turn the key to the run position and then it should go out shortly after the engine starts. When the light is on check the voltage at the battery if you have less than 13 volts the alternator is not charging.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

When you turn your key, does the radio work? It could be just the battery.

Engine is difficult to start when cold

1. Check the battery condition, battery state of charge and starter motor current draw. Replace the battery if marginal and the starter motor if the current draw is beyond specification.
2. Check the battery cable condition. Clean the battery terminals and replace corroded or damaged cables.
3. Check the fuel system for proper operation. A fuel pump with insufficient fuel pressure or clogged injectors should be replaced.
4. Check the engine's tune-up status. Note the tune-up specifications and check for items such as severely worn spark plugs; adjust or replace as needed. On vehicles with manually adjusted valve clearances, check for tight valves and adjust to specification.
5. Check for a failed coolant temperature sensor, and replace if out of specification.
6. heck the operation of the engine management systems for fuel and ignition; repair or replace failed components as necessary.

The gas engine is the same as an ordinary engine,be shure to remove the key out of the ignition,then connect the positive lead first to both cars and last the negative lead[dont let the leads touch.Fit your ignition key and start as normal,when it starts remove the negative lead first and then last of all the positive lead.To be honest give the battery a good charge once every 2 months as an alternator will never fully charge a battery...