Car (1968 Charger 440 Auto) won't start

[flathead1946]

If this is in the wrong section please let me know. This last Saturday I fired up my new restored Charger. 440 Auto. It would only start in the neutral position. Last night I attempted to start the car and it would fire when the key was turned on to engage the started but died as soon as I let the key go. Any ideas? thanks in advance

[cudaken]

 Bad ballast restorer, the one that hangs on the firewall.

[Dino]

Bad ignition switch?   

What do you mean by it only starts in the neutral position?

[flathead1946]

It will not turn over when the shifter (column) is in park. when I move it to the neutral position it would start. The ballest resistor was new what would cause it to burn out so fast. It does have the petronix electronic ignition.

[cudaken]

"it would fire when the key was turned on to engage the started but died as soon as I let the key go. Any ideas?"

Flathead, that is the ballast causing that problem. Far as why it cooked so quickly?  But when I first started my Blower motor in the Charger, brand new one went poof! I all wise keep a extra one in my Mopars just in case.

Cuda Ken

[70 sublime]

It will not turn over when the shifter (column) is in park. when I move it to the neutral position it would start. The ballest resistor was new what would cause it to burn out so fast. It does have the petronix electronic ignition.

Mine did the same thing when I went to start it the first time after ther gear shifter was hooked up
Would only start in N
I had to adjust the length of the shifter rods under the car as it was not going into park far enough to get the car to start in P 

[NHCharger]

It will not turn over when the shifter (column) is in park. when I move it to the neutral position it would start. The ballest resistor was new what would cause it to burn out so fast. It does have the petronix electronic ignition.

Mine did the same thing when I went to start it the first time after ther gear shifter was hooked up
Would only start in N
I had to adjust the length of the shifter rods under the car as it was not going into park far enough to get the car to start in P 

I agree. Sounds like you need to tweak the linkage a bit to get the shifter all the way into park. My first car (68 Dart) the linkage was worn and sometimes had to slam the shifter into park in get it to start- until someone enlightened me and told me to start it in neutral.

[ws23rt]

Back in the day these cars were for driving all the time. I always had an extra ballast resistor in the glove box. And it came in handy when we needed it most.
Your first post indicates a ballast resistor problem. (the engine fires while cranking only).
The other replies address the linkage adjustment adjustment needed to be able to start in both park and neutral.
As to why the ballast resistor fails? I would like to know myself.
It is above my advice grade.