Gear range sensor - Neutral safety switch

On this vehicle, the neutral safety switch is referred to as a transmission range sensor. It is located on the driver's side front of the transmission. I found the attached pic online to help you identify it.

The reverse light does not turn on, they told me it was the neutral switch and I need to know the position and how to install it.

Good afternoon,


The back up light switch is part of the neutral switch. It is located on the valve body. The valve body has to be removed to access the switch.

I posted the information below and some pictures for you.

Roy

TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR

REMOVAL
1. Remove valve body assembly from transaxle.


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2. Remove transmission range sensor retaining screw and remove sensor from valve body (Fig. 305).
3. Remove TRS from manual shaft.

INSTALLATION


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1. Install Transmission Range Sensor (TRS) to the valve body and torque retaining screw (Fig. 305) to 5 Nm (45 inch lbs.).
2. Install valve body to transaxle.

VALVE BODY

REMOVAL

NOTE: If valve body is replaced or reconditioned, the TCM Quick Learn Procedure must be performed.

1. Disconnect battery negative cable.
2. Disconnect gearshift cable from manual valve lever.
3. Remove manual valve lever from manual shaft.
4. Raise vehicle on hoist.


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5. Remove oil pan bolts (Fig. 307).


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6. Remove oil pan (Fig. 308).


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7. Remove oil filter (Fig. 309).


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8. Remove the valve body-to-transaxle case bolts (Fig. 310).

NOTE: To ease removal of the valve body, turn the manual valve lever fully clockwise to low or first gear.


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9. Remove park rod rollers from guide bracket and remove valve body from transaxle (Fig. 311) (Fig. 312).

CAUTION: The valve body manual shaft pilot may distort and bind the manual valve if the valve body is mishandled or dropped.

My van wont crank. When I turn my key the accessory relay clicks and that is it. Everything lights, radio, windows, etc work. As the key is turned I do not have any power to little wire on starter. If I bypass the ignition relay it turns over but the fuel pump is not coming on and I have no spark. I replaced the crank sensor and the ignition module on the steering column. Neither helped. I have check all the fuses and relays. All the wires under the dash looks good. Would the neutral safety switch cut power to the starter?

Yes it would, the neutral safety switch or gear selector range sensor is located on the transmission here is a diagrams to help you see the location

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers

That was the problem thank you so much for the information all fixed. I love this site.

Good to hear, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Cheers

where is the neutral safety switch located on a 3 speed auto transmission? A diagram would be helpful.

front of the trans under the car. it has 3 wires and screws into the case. get the new one and match it up.

Roy

See the image below

after replacing neutral safety switch it won't start in park but will start in neutral the reverse light on gear indicator is showing it's in reverse but the shift handle is in park?

Good morning,

The shift cable may be out of adjustment.

i attached the procedure for the adjustment below. Adjust the cable and see if it will start in park.

If the park neutral switch does not send a signal to the ECM for park position, it will not allow starting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNSM3hRP6jk

Roy

Lift and rotate the gearshift hand lever into the park (P) gate position and remove the ignition key This confirms the shift lever is in the gated park (P) position.

After confirming the park gate position, turn the ignition switch. If the starter will operate, the park gate position is correct. Move the shift lever into the neutral (N) position. If the starter will operate in this position, the linkage is properly adjusted. If the starter fails to operate in either position, linkage adjustment is required.

(1)Park the vehicle on level ground and set the parking brake.
(2)Place the gearshift lever in park (P) gate position and remove key.

Fig. 38
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(3)Loosen the cable adjustment screw at the transaxle operating lever (Fig. 38).
(4)Pull the transaxle operating lever fully forward to the park detent position.
(5)Release the park brake, then rock the vehicle to assure it is in park lock. Reset the park brake.
(6)Tighten the cable adjustment screw to 8 Nm (70 inch lbs.). Gearshift cable should now be properly adjusted.
(7)Check adjustment by using the preceding procedure.

When trying to start van will not crank. Has full electrical power. Only fuel pump sound and relays clicking sound heard when turning key to start. After about fifteen of trying to start, it will finally start. Turn van off and try to start again and same deal. Have replaced the starter and key lock cylinder and ignition switch. Could it be the Transmission Range Sensor/Neutral safety switch? Where is it located on my van and how would you replace it? Thanks

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

Yes, the neutral safety/range sensor switch can cause a no start. However, usually they usually do not start working after they have failed. Try to see if the engine starts in neutral rather than park. If it does, then my first suspect would be the safety/ranger sensor switch. However, often times it is something as simple as a corroded or loose battery terminal or bad ground to the engine block. Take a look at this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Also, here is a link that discusses why a starter may fail.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

The range sensor is located in the front of the transmission down low. See the attached picture. Basically, it unscrews from the transmission. Here is a link that shows in general how to check one:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-neutral-safety-switch-works

Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

i have a 97 van recently changed speed sensors now giving prndl switch slack. when changing prior sensors had to get for 02 so tranney has been changed. where is the neutral switch

newer model