The following is a post that was originally made on the Yahoo site.  Since I, and a number of other amature/wanna-be mechanics, have had either the same or similar experiences and Dale has done such a great job of presenting it, I am reposting it here for posterity.

Women just doen't seem to understand on how mechanical things work and there are certain procedures to follow.
 
For those of you that haven't been following this story, Terry is coming down from BC to pick up the 509. It won't turn over.  A clicking sound from the dash and a soft springing sound from the rear is all that is heard.
 
So I put Carolyn in the driver's seat and I go to the engine compartment to try and identify the spring sound and possibly fix it.  It is coming from the Mallory ignition.  I have her try several more times while I jiggle wires and look for a source.  During one of the lulls while I am thinking, I hear a voice from the driver's seat:
 
"Honey, is the shift lever supposed to be in PARK?"
 
A million thoughs race uncontrollably through my brain:
I can't be that stupid.
I want a wise-ass reply.
How can I answer without losing face.
If she's right, I'll never hear the end of this.
 
"Yes, Dear"
"Do you want me to try and start it again?"
(very slowly)  "Yes, Dear."
 
ROAR.  The big 440 fires to life and chugs along as faithfully as it has done for years.
 
Damn!  I didn't even get to finish doing a proper job of trouble shooting.  Women just don't let men get things accomplished.

-=Dale=-

Yes, I now know that, to start an engine, it helps to turn on the battery disconnect switch as well.