A neutral safety switch, as its name suggests, is an important safety component in vehicles. But what does a neutral safety switch actually do, and how to test it in case of a malfunction? Hold on, as WheelZine answers such questions, by describing the function of a neutral safety switch, along with the symptoms, testing, and replacement of one that has gone bad.
Did You Know?
The neutral safety switch was first used in the 1980s, in the backdrop of numerous cases in which children left alone in cars turned the key and sent the car speeding forward.
It’s easy to start a car engine simply by turning a key in the ignition. However, this often makes us overlook the interesting process behind it. The engine contains pistons, which need to move up and down to rotate a rod, thus producing power to move the vehicle. The explosion of a mixture of gas and air inside the engine makes the pistons move in the first place. However, to turn on the engine, the pistons need to get moving from a dead stop to make way for the gas-air mixture in the engine. This is done by a starter motor, which receives current from the battery each time the key is turned in the ignition. While a car can be parked in gear, it cannot be turned on without bringing it into neutral. This is because of an electric part called the ‘neutral safety switch’. But where is the neutral safety switch located in a car? Let’s find out.
What is its Function?
A neutral safety switch is a mechanism that prevents the car engine from turning on when the transmission is in gear. It allows the engine to start only if the gearshift is in the ‘park’ or ‘neutral’ position. Without this switch, the engine would start whenever the key is turned in the ignition, and if the transmission was left in gear, this could make the vehicle shoot out from a stationary position, possibly injuring the occupant and/or whoever is near the car. In some models, the neutral safety switch is also responsible for turning on the back-up lights while reversing.
This switch is connected to a part called the starter solenoid, which activates the starter motor, which in turn starts the engine on turning the key. The neutral safety switch only completes the starter circuit when the gearshift is in the ‘park’ or ‘neutral’ position, and leaves it open when it is in gear. Thus, the starter solenoid receives power from the battery only in the ‘park’ and ‘neutral’ transmission, thus allowing the engine to start only in these cases.
Symptoms of a Bad Switch
The neutral safety switch may malfunction due to corrosion, wearing-out with time, dirt and grease buildup, or moisture. A bad switch typically shows the following symptoms.
► Since this switch completes the starter circuit when the transmission is in ‘park’ or ‘neutral’, a bad one may misjudge the position of the gearshift, causing the engine to not start at all. Moreover, modern neutral safety switches are designed to turn the circuit off by default when they malfunction.
► Older cars with malfunctioning switches may turn on whatever be the gearshift position. This is because they are not designed to turn off by default on malfunctioning, unlike modern switches.
► A malfunctioning switch may misjudge which gear the transmission is in. This enables the engine to be turned on when in gear, and also shows an incorrect transmission selection on the dash.
► Since most switches turn on the backup lights while reversing, a malfunctioning one may not perform this role, resulting in the lights failing to turn on.
Testing a Switch for Malfunction
► If the car isn’t starting at the ‘park’ position, then hold down the brake and shift it into neutral. If this solves the problem, it indicates a bad switch, because shifting the transmission into neutral also shifts the switch to a different circuit which may not be damaged.
► If the car doesn’t start both, in the ‘park’ and ‘neutral’ modes, wriggle the gearshift around a little without actually changing gears, while turning the ignition. This might start the engine, because the position of the switch changes by moving the gearshift, bringing parts of it into operation which are not damaged.
► Find out the location of the neutral safety switch in your vehicle (see next section). After putting the transmission in ‘reverse’, unplug the electrical connector attached to it, and check it using a test light. If the lamp lights up, this means that there is no problem with the battery supply. Now, reattach the switch to the connector and check the connector again with the test light. If the light doesn’t turn on, this means that the switch is faulty, and is thus not transferring power from the battery.
Replacement
- To replace the neutral safety switch, it’s important to first locate it. In rear-wheel drive vehicles, this switch is located on the left (driver’s side) of the transmission, under the gearshift. For such vehicles, the front wheels must be raised using floor jacks to access this switch. In front-wheel drive vehicles, the switch is mounted on top of the transmission, under the gearshift. It is mostly a black or gray box, resembling a cigarette lighter. Refer to the service manual of your vehicle if you have any difficulty in locating this switch.
- First, turn the key ‘on’, but do not start the engine, apply the parking brake, and shift the car into neutral transmission. Moreover, check both, the front and the rear wheels. In rear-wheel drive vehicles, raise the front wheels using floor jacks, and check it for stability by pushing down on the fender.
- Open the hood and disconnect the negative terminal of the battery, ensuring that it is away from all metal parts.
- The neutral safety switch is usually made of an assembly consisting of the switch held in place by a couple of bolts, attached to the transmission, and plugged to a wiring connector.
- Remove the plugged connector by hand, ensuring that it does not get damaged during its removal.
- Disconnect the pin connecting the gearshift lever with the switch.
- Using a wrench, or a ratchet with sockets, unscrew the bolts holding the switch in position. Before removing the switch, pay attention to its alignment with the gearshift lever shaft.
- Insert a new switch in the same alignment, and attach it by reversing the above instructions. Then reconnect the negative battery terminal.
- Check the new switch by turning on the engine while setting the transmission in ‘park’, ‘neutral’, ‘gear’, and ‘reverse’. It should start while in ‘park’ and ‘neutral’ only.
As can be seen, the neutral safety switch plays a crucial role in starting a vehicle’s engine. The replacement cost for a bad switch can be anywhere between $50 to $250, or even more. If you are not too familiar with a vehicle’s working and mechanism, get the job done by a qualified mechanic to avoid any related problems.