Neutral safety switch how does it work

The switch prevents the engine from starting when the transmission is in gear. The neutral safety switch is a safety device. Ensuring the car cannot be started unless the transmission is in neutral or park prevents the car from moving immediately when it is started.

The location of the neutral safety switch depends on the car model. Neutral safety switches can fail because of age, accumulated dirt, corrosion one more reason to clean that undercarriage or damage to the wiring. Before attempting to start the car back up after making repairs, make sure the vehicle is lifted safely off the ground or that you are inside with a foot near the brake and no one standing around the vehicle.

Under no circumstances should you try to adjust the gear or linkage with the engine running while you are underneath. These switches are just another one of the many bells and whistles on modern vehicles that contribute to more safety for everyone on the road. If you suspect failure, do yourself and everyone else a favor and drive on over to your local NAPA AutoCare expert to get it checked out. Know How. Blair Lampe is a New York-based professional mechanic, blogger, theater technician, and speechwriter.

Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Skip to content One lesser known but very important component found on all modern cars is the neutral safety switch.

Neutral Ground A broken or failing neutral safety switch can cause a myriad of problems. A failed fuel pump will often result in the engine repeatedly trying to start, but failing to do so. Ruling these other issues out or attempting to start the vehicle with no response from the ignition system usually signifies a neutral safety switch failure. This symptom is harder to identify because the majority of vehicles have systems in place that require them to be put into park before being turned off.

To test this, simply place the vehicle in neutral and try to start it. Another more difficult symptom you can look out for to diagnose a problem is when you can fully start your vehicle in any gear or shift lever position. Actually turning the vehicle on when it is in gear will most likely be a mistake, which is why the neutral safety switch is there in the first place.

This issue would arise because the switch is always completing the electric current to the ignition system. If you know for a fact that yours is faulty, you should replace it right away. Waiting any longer will only put your safety at risk. The ability to locate the neutral safety switch and ease of access will probably be the best indicator of whether or not you want to tackle this replacement yourself, or hire a professional to do it for you instead. Firstly, you will need to disconnect the battery.

Almost anything beyond changing the oil or checking fluids will necessitate this, as working with electrical systems can result in an injury or short to the electric system. Be sure to have the vehicle on a level parking area with the parking brake on.

Jack the vehicle up and place jack stands under the front of it so that you will be able to crawl or slide underneath. If your vehicle has a floor shifter or column shifter, you may not need to jack it up in order to reach it. All of this depends on the make and model of your particular vehicle. Before you actually remove the switch, you will need to remove its wiring harness, much like the connector in a headlight bulb.

Sometimes, especially if the switch is mounted below the vehicle, you will have to apply some pressure to remove it or use a screwdriver to pry it off. Once the new switch is screwed into the mounting area, reconnect its harness, reconnect the battery and test the new switch.

If you can start the vehicle in park and neutral but not in other gears, you have successfully installed the neutral safety switch.