Neutral safety switch replacement instructions please?

Welcome to 2CarPros.

One of two things is happening. The most common problem is what is called a neutral safety switch. It only allows the vehicle to be started in park or neutral. On your vehicle, that operation is done by what is called a transmission range sensor. To replace it requires the removal of the valve body located in the transmission. On the other hand, if you were on a very steep incline, there is a possibility that the shift cable linkage may be off if it was difficult to remove from park.

Since the range sensor is much more difficult to replace, lets start by adjusting the shift cable. Here are the directions specific to your vehicle. The attached pics correlate with the directions. Since this doesn't cost anything, I feel it is a good thing to start with.

GEARSHIFT CABLE
Normal operation of the Park/Neutral Position Switch provides a quick check to confirm proper linkage adjustment. The engine starter should only operate when the transaxle shift lever is in the PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) positions. If the engine starts in any other gear position, or the vehicle rolls when the shifter is in gated PARK (P), a gearshift cable adjustment is necessary.

ADJUSTMENT
1. Loosen set screw and remove knob from shifter handle (Fig. 189).
2. Remove the center console assembly as shown in (Fig. 190).
3. Adjust gearshift cable as follows:
a. Place gearshift lever in the PARK (P) position.
B. Loosen shift cable adjustment screw (Fig. 191).
C. Move transaxle manual lever to the PARK. Verify transaxle is in PARK by attempting to roll vehicle in either direction.
D. Tighten shift cable adjustment screw to 8 Nm (70 inch lbs.) Torque.
4. Verify proper cable adjustment. Engine should start with the shifter lever in PARK (P) and NEUTRAL (N) positions ONLY.
5. Install center console assembly (Fig. 190).
6. Install gearshift knob and tighten set screw to 2 Nm (15 inch lbs.) Torque (Fig. 189).

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

Welcome back:

You are very welcome. Let us know if we can help in the future. Also, was it both that were the problem? I always tell family members to first apply the parking brake so it holds the vehicle and then shift to park. That way, the tension is not on the parking sprag in the transmission. Also, it avoids having difficulty when removing the vehicle from park. When they are on a hill, it can put a lot of pressure on things.

Let me know if it was both or only one, and take care.

Joe

Welcome back:

Thanks for letting me know. When things such as metal get hot, they expand, so I'm sure the WD40 helped.

Take care and let is know if you have questions in the future.

Joe

Welcome back:

I attached two pics below for you to see. You have either a drum brake or disc brake system on the rear. Both have a rubber flex brake line. I circled and highlighted both. The think is this. Could someone have cut it? It is possible, but they can burst due to age and condition. If you could upload a pic of it, I may be able to help better. As far as someone doing it, I have no idea where you are located to. However, don't be alarmed because it is possible that it failed. One last thought. A spongy pedal may have indicated it was expanding when you hit the brakes. It shouldn't do that and would lead to it bursting.

Let me know if I can help.

Joe

Welcome back:

Can you upload a picture of the damaged line? Also, a new one can be bad as well.

Let me know.

Joe