Neutral Safety Switch: Service and Repair

Fig. 11 Back-up light switch removal:

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1. Disconnect battery ground cable and switch assembly harness.
2. Place gear selector in neutral, then squeeze tangs together and remove, Fig. 11.
3. Reverse procedure to install. Adjust switch by moving gear selector to park. The actuator will ratchet, providing proper adjustment.

MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Raise and support vehicle.
3. Disconnect switch wiring harness, Fig. 11, then remove switch from transmission.
4. Reverse procedure to install, then check switch for proper operation.

Fig. 10 Mechanical neutral start system:

On some automatic transmission equipped vehicles, the actuation of the ignition switch is prevented by a mechanical lockout system, Fig. 10, which prevents the lock cylinder from rotating when the selector lever is out of Park or Neutral. When the selector lever is in Park or Neutral, the slots in the bowl plate and the finger on the actuator rod align, allowing the finger to pass through the bowl plate, in turn actuating the ignition switch, Fig. 10. If the selector lever is in any position other than Park or Neutral, the finger contacts the bowl plate when the lock cylinder is rotated, thereby preventing full travel of the lock cylinder.