Neutral safety switch

Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 FORD RANGER
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
Replacement transmission a little while back with a used one truck has only been starting in neutral since. Is there a certain specs or procedures to aligning the neutral safety switch correctly? I tried to adjust the one on the transmission and now my truck won't start at all, it just cranks over. I've tried moving the neutral safety switch a little at a time and it just seems like it goes from cranking to no crank at all like I can't seem to find the correct position! Any advice or help is greatly appreciated as this is my only means of transportation!
Monday, May 2nd, 2022 AT 11:32 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
Anyone?
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Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 AT 2:44 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Sorry for the delay. It appears this post was never confirmed after posting which means we didn't see it posted until you updated it. Sorry for the confusion.

As for this issue, there are no adjustments for what is called the transmission range sensor.

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

Basically, what we have to do is use the special tool that is shown below to align the TRS properly and then it will recognize the park position.

However, if you have already tried to adjust it then it may be damaged and require replacement.

So, I would get the tool which is available at most any parts store or online and try to align it properly and then see if it works. If not, I suspect you are going to have to replace it.

Let me know if you have questions. Thanks
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Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 AT 3:07 PM
Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
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  • 49 POSTS
Got a question probably a stupid one, but if it cranks over but doesn't start does that mean that the transmission range sensor is aligned correctly, and it could be something else? The only two things I did was change my fuel filter and try to see if the trs was possibly out of alignment.
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Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 AT 3:55 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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So, the starter turns? If the starter turns but the engine doesn't fire, then you are correct that the TRS is allowing the starter turn.

I thought it was a no crank no start. So, if the engine is cranking and not starting and this started after the fuel filter change, we need to check the fuel pressure when this is doing it to find out if the pressure is low.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Let's start with this and go from there.
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Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
No pressure at the fuel rail in engine but I don't have the TRS in position yet so there shouldn't be any right? Also, I've noticed a click somewhere in the dash when I turn the key to the "on" position. And the security light and buzzer seem to be going haywire and are erratic. Should I chalk that up to the TRS not being in position?
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Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 AT 3:44 PM
Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
So, I got the TRSaligned and this is what I get. Battery is dead now had someone try to jump it but couldn't get it to start.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 8:49 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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If the battery is drained to the point that it will not start with a jump start, then that will cause all sorts of electrical issues.

So, what I would recommend is replacing the battery and aligning the TRS before you do anything else. If you still have an issue after these then we can track that down. However, both these things need to be fixed first because they will make us think there are other issues.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 12:26 PM
Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
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  • 49 POSTS
The TRS is aligned, out of curiosity would an out of alignment TRS cause something like that?
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 1:45 PM
Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
As for the battery I don't think it's too drained to be jumped, the person that was helping me with a jump just didn't have a lot of time. And it's most likely my fault it is drained from trying to turn her over so many times to get the TRS aligned. So, I'm going to pull the battery and get it checked out and charged.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 1:52 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Sounds good. If the TRS is not aligned or defective, then it will not allow the engine to crank. Basically, the PCM needs to see the proper voltage showing park or neutral. If it doesn't then it doesn't allow the starter to turn.

So, if the engine is cranking then the TRS is most likely not the issue.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 4:45 PM
Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
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Just got back from O'Reilly's battery was only down to 11.2 volts is that low enough to make my pats system fritz out like that? There charging it now, take about an hour.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Yes. It is possible. It is more important about the cranking amps of the battery. So, if the voltage were low but it passed the test and needs to be charged then I would just be careful if it is able to hold the charge.

So, if you put it back in the vehicle, I would just stop by the parts store again in a couple days and have them check it again and it should pass. If it needs to be charged again then you are going to have to replace it as it can't hold the charge.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 6:19 PM
Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
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  • 49 POSTS
So, it cranks over just no start. Possibly something in the fuel filter I just put on. Checked for pressure on fuel rail by pressing the Schrader valve in and nothing comes out?
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 10:53 PM
Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
  • MEMBER
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*Update:
I guess I just didn't prime it enough cause I went back out and turned the ignition on and off a few more times and she started right up. Still not really sure what happened but she's running lol! Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you for your feedback and then put it as always it is greatly appreciated you guys do an awesome job, keep it up!
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 12:51 AM
Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
  • MEMBER
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Sorry for being so bothersome but it's back to cranking but no start! Where would you suggest going to next? Could it possibly be the fuel filter I just installed?
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 5:26 AM
Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
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I've also noticed that I don't hear my pump running anymore either.
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 8:50 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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We are going to have to get a new post started for this just because we have gone into a crank no start issue pretty deep and others are not going to find the solution for this under this topic.

Basically, we are here to help you, but you will help others in the future when you solve the issue.

So, I think we may have had two issues. I don't think you caused it with the fuel filter replacement, but it is possible. Basically, I think the pump has failed and needs to be replaced. We will prove this out on a new post but as long as there is power to the pump, and it is not coming on or building pressure then the pump is the issue. This is typical when you have to turn the key to build pressure and then it stops running.
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 8:53 AM
Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
Last time I will post here but last night she started up I drove around for I don't know probably 10-15 minutes no issues no stalling no stuttering no nothing and even prior to this I have had no intermittent starts or hard starts or anything to make me consider my fuel pump everyday up until this happened, she would start right up no hesitation no nothing.
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 11:33 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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I get it. Unfortunately, fuel pumps are not consistently failing so they will work flawlessly sometimes and then others they will cause these types of issues.

Thanks for getting a new post started but I am sure we will be able to figure this out.

Thanks
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 4:36 PM

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