Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Transmission Position Sensor/Switch: Service and Repair
1996 Saturn SC2 L4-1.9L DOHC VIN 7SECTION Service and Repair
PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH REMOVAL
1. Position vehicle on hoist and raise vehicle.
2. Remove left front tire.
3. Remove left side splash shield.
4. Disconnect electrical connectors from selector switch.
5. Disconnect shifter cable from control lever.
6. Place control lever in the full clockwise position.
NOTE: If manual shift shaft is rotated excessively, internal damage to the park/neutral position switch may occur.
7. Prevent the manual shift shaft from rotating by holding the control lever while removing retaining nut from manual shift shaft. Remove control lever.
8. Remove two switch-to-transaxle case bolts and remove switch.
INSTALLATION
1. Install switch to transaxle and install switch to case bolts. Do not tighten bolts at this time.
2. Install control lever-to-manual shift shaft.
NOTE: If manual shift shaft is rotated excessively, internal damage to the park/neutral position switch may occur.
3. Prevent the manual shift shaft from rotating by holding control lever while installing retaining nut.
- Torque: 12 Nm (106 lb in)
4. Refer to adjustment procedure.
ADJUST AND FINALIZE ASSEMBLY
1. Place transaxle in D (Drive). Use ohmmeter or continuity tester to check for continuity across terminals on switch. If no continuity is present, loosen mounting bolts and rotate switch to achieve continuity.
2. Tighten switch to case bolts. After switch to case bolts have been tightened, check continuity.
- Torque: 14 Nm (124 lb in)
NOTE: DVM with audible continuity test is preferred. Do not stick probe in terminal hole; use male terminals on switch or faulty readings could exist.
3. Install cable to control lever and adjust cable.
4. Connect electrical connectors.
5. Install left side splash shield.
NOTE: Before installing wheels, remove rust or corrosion from wheel mounting surfaces and brake rotors/drums. Failure to do so can cause wheel lug nuts to loosen in service.
6. Position wheel on hub.
7. Install wheel nuts and tighten in a crisscross pattern. Repeat tightening pattern to be sure torque is correct.
- Torque: 140 Nm (103 lb ft)
Wheel Removal And Installation:
1. Position vehicle on hoist and raise vehicle.
2. Remove left front tire.
Left Side Splash Shield:
3. Remove left side splash shield.
Assembly View:
4. Disconnect electrical connectors from selector switch.
5. Disconnect shifter cable from control lever.
6. Place control lever in the full clockwise position.
NOTE: If manual shift shaft is rotated excessively, internal damage to the park/neutral position switch may occur.
7. Prevent the manual shift shaft from rotating by holding the control lever while removing retaining nut from manual shift shaft. Remove control lever.
8. Remove two switch-to-transaxle case bolts and remove switch.
INSTALLATION
1. Install switch to transaxle and install switch to case bolts. Do not tighten bolts at this time.
2. Install control lever-to-manual shift shaft.
NOTE: If manual shift shaft is rotated excessively, internal damage to the park/neutral position switch may occur.
3. Prevent the manual shift shaft from rotating by holding control lever while installing retaining nut.
- Torque: 12 Nm (106 lb in)
4. Refer to adjustment procedure.
ADJUST AND FINALIZE ASSEMBLY
Ohmmeter Hook-up:
1. Place transaxle in D (Drive). Use ohmmeter or continuity tester to check for continuity across terminals on switch. If no continuity is present, loosen mounting bolts and rotate switch to achieve continuity.
2. Tighten switch to case bolts. After switch to case bolts have been tightened, check continuity.
- Torque: 14 Nm (124 lb in)
NOTE: DVM with audible continuity test is preferred. Do not stick probe in terminal hole; use male terminals on switch or faulty readings could exist.
Connector Hook-ups:
3. Install cable to control lever and adjust cable.
4. Connect electrical connectors.
Left Side Splash Shield:
5. Install left side splash shield.
Wheel Removal And Installation:
NOTE: Before installing wheels, remove rust or corrosion from wheel mounting surfaces and brake rotors/drums. Failure to do so can cause wheel lug nuts to loosen in service.
6. Position wheel on hub.
7. Install wheel nuts and tighten in a crisscross pattern. Repeat tightening pattern to be sure torque is correct.
- Torque: 140 Nm (103 lb ft)
RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
Recommended Tools & Savings
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.