How to replace the neutral safety switch

The neutral safety switch fails when the vehicle does not start in neutral. The safety switch does not work if the vehicle is started in gear.

The neutral safety switch works the same as the clutch switch, except that it prevents the automatic transmission from starting in gear. The neutral safety switch allows the engine to be started when the transmission selector is in park and neutral.

The switch is located in two places on the vehicle. The column switches have a neutral position safety switch located on the transmission. Mechanical floor switches have a neutral safety switch located on the gearbox. Electronic floor switches have a neutral position safety switch in the switch housing and a gear position switch on the transmission. This is commonly known as wire bias.

If you have a pillar or floor switch in park or neutral and the engine does not start, the neutral safety switch may be defective. Also, if the column or floor shift lever is engaged and the engine can start, the neutral position safety switch may be defective.

Part 1 of 8: Checking the status of the neutral safety switch

Step 1: Place the column switch or floor switch in the park position.. Turn on the ignition to start.

Step 2: Set the parking brake. Set the switch on the speaker or on the floor to the neutral position.

Turn on the ignition to start. The engine should start if the neutral safety switch is working properly.

Part 2 of 8: Getting Started

Necessary materials

• Jack
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks

Step 1: Park your vehicle on a level, firm surface.. Make sure the transmission is in park mode.

Step 2: Install wheel chocks around the rear wheels, which will remain on the ground.. Apply the parking brake to block the rear wheels from moving.

Step 3: Raise the car. Raise the vehicle at the indicated jack points until the wheels are completely off the ground.

Step 4: Install Jacks. The jack stands must pass under the jacking points and lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.

For most modern cars, the jack stand attachment points are on a weld right under the doors along the bottom of the car.

• Attention: It is best to follow the owner's manual of the vehicle to determine the correct location for the jack.

Part 3 of 8: Removing the Steering Wheel Neutral Safety Switch

Necessary materials

• Hex key set
• socket wrenches
• Switch
• Fastener remover (only for vehicles with engine protection)
• Pliers with needles
• Saving a nine-volt battery
• Ratchet with metric and standard sockets
• small blow
• Small mount
• Torque bit set
• Wrench

Step 1: Install a nine volt battery in the cigarette lighter.. This will keep your computer running and save the current settings in the car.

If you don't have a nine volt battery, this is not a problem.

Step 2: Open the hood and disconnect the battery. Remove the negative terminal from the battery terminal.

This discharges the power to the neutral safety switch.

Step 3: Get a creeper and tools. Get under the car and locate the neutral safety switch.

Step 4: Remove the shift lever attached to the shifter on the gearbox.. This connection can be made with a bolt and lock nut, or with a cotter pin and cotter pin.

Step 5: Remove the neutral safety switch mounting bolts..

Step 6: Disconnect the wiring harness from the neutral safety switch.. You may need to use a small pry bar to remove the tourniquet.

Step 7: Remove the nut from the shift shaft on the gearbox.. Remove the shift lever bracket.

• Attention: Most shift shafts lock in the park position when turned clockwise.

Step 8: Remove the Switch. Using a small pry bar, apply light pressure to the neutral safety switch and transmission and remove the switch.

• Attention: The old switch may break when removed due to rust or dirt.

Part 4 of 8: Removing the neutral safety switch of the electronic floor shifter

Necessary materials

• Hex key set
• socket wrenches
• Switch
• Fastener remover (only for vehicles with engine protection)
• Pliers with needles
• Saving a nine-volt battery
• Ratchet with metric and standard sockets
• small blow
• Small mount
• Torque bit set
• Wrench

Step 1: Install a nine volt battery in the cigarette lighter.. This will keep your computer running and save the current settings in the car.

If you do not have a nine-volt battery, then it's okay.

Step 2: Open the hood and disconnect the battery. Remove the negative terminal from the battery terminal.

This discharges the power to the neutral safety switch.

Step 3. Take the tools with you to the passenger side of the car.. Remove the carpet around the switch housing.

Step 4: Loosen the fixing screws on the floor board.. These are the bolts that secure the floor switch.

Step 5: Lift the floor switch assembly and disconnect the wiring harness.. Flip the switch assembly over and you will see the neutral safety switch.

Step 6: Remove the neutral position safety switch from the switch housing.. Be sure to clean the contact on the car harness before installing.

Part 5 of 8: Installing the Steering Wheel Neutral Safety Switch

Necessary materials

• Hex key set
• Anti-seizure
• socket wrenches
• Switch
• Fastener remover (only for vehicles with engine protection)
• Pliers with needles
• Saving a nine-volt battery
• Ratchet with metric and standard sockets
• small blow
• Small mount
• Torque bit set
• Wrench

Step 1: Make sure the transmission is in park mode.. Using the shift lever bracket, turn the shift shaft on the gearbox clockwise, making sure the gearbox is in the park position.

Step 2: Install a new neutral safety switch.. Use Anti-Seize on the switch shaft to prevent rust and corrosion between the shaft and switch.

Step 3: Screw in the fixing bolts by hand. Torque bolts to specification.

If you don't know the bolt torque, you can tighten the bolts 1/8 turn.

• A warning: If the bolts are too tight, the new derailleur will crack.

Step 4: Connect the wiring harness to the neutral safety switch.. Make sure the lock clicks into place and secures the plug.

Step 5: Install the shift lever bracket. Tighten the nut to the correct torque.

If you don't know the bolt torque, you can tighten the bolts 1/8 turn.

Step 6: Install the linkage to the linkage bracket.. Tighten the bolt and nut firmly.

Use a new cotter pin if the linkage was attached with a cotter pin.

• A warning: Do not use the old cotter pin due to hardening and fatigue. An old cotter pin may break prematurely.

Step 7: Connect the negative battery cable to the negative terminal.. This will energize the new neutral safety switch.

Remove the nine volt fuse from the cigarette lighter.

Part 6 of 8: Installing the neutral safety switch of the electronic floor shifter

Necessary materials

• Hex key set
• Anti-seizure
• socket wrenches
• Switch
• Fastener remover (only for vehicles with engine protection)
• Pliers with needles
• Saving a nine-volt battery
• Ratchet with metric and standard sockets
• small blow
• Small mount
• Torque bit set
• Wrench

Step 1: Install a new neutral safety switch in the switch housing..

Step 2: Place the floor switch on the floor board.. Attach the harness to the floor switch and place the floor switch down on the floor board.

Step 3: Install the fixing bolts on the floor board. They fix the floor switch.

Step 4: Install the carpet around the switch housing..

Step 5: Connect the negative battery cable to the negative terminal.. This will energize the new neutral safety switch.

Remove the nine volt fuse from the cigarette lighter.

Part 7 of 8: Lowering the car

Step 1: Raise the car. Raise the vehicle at the indicated jack points until the wheels are completely off the ground.

Step 2: Remove Jack Stands. Keep them away from the car.

Step 3: Lower the car so that all four wheels are on the ground.. Pull out the jack and set it aside.

Step 4: Remove wheel chocks from rear wheels.. Put it aside.

Part 8 of 8: Testing a New Neutral Safety Switch

Step 1: Make sure the shift lever is in the park position.. Turn on the ignition key and start the engine.

Step 2: Switch off the ignition to turn off the engine.. Set switch to neutral position.

Turn on the ignition key and start the engine. If the neutral position safety switch is working correctly, the engine will start.

To test the neutral safety switch, turn off and restart the engine three times in park and three times in neutral at the shift lever. If the engine starts every time, the neutral safety switch is working properly.

If you cannot start the engine in park or neutral, or if the engine starts in gear after replacing the neutral safety switch, you need further diagnostics of the neutral safety switch and you may have an electrical problem. If the problem persists, you should seek help from one of AvtoTachki's certified mechanics who can inspect the clutch and transmission and diagnose the problem.