Neutral safety switch location

Tiny
CALOBETO IBARRA
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 BUICK LESABRE
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 12,300 MILES
I can't find the neutral safety switch on the car listed above. Please any help. I looked everywhere in the car inside and out and no luck.
Wednesday, August 7th, 2019 AT 11:08 AM

22 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

There is no neutral safety switch. The PCM and the starter relay control the operation of the starter.

The ignition switch sends a signal to the PCM. Then the PCM looks at the position sensor on top of the transmission to be sure it is in park or neutral. When it gets that signal, it sends power to the relay.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, August 7th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
CALOBETO IBARRA
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Thanks so much for your help, please can you guide me? My car shut off while I was driving did not started back up. No crank when I turn the key to the crank position lights on the dash go off even when the battery is fully charged. So everything indicated that it was the neutral safety switch, but there is not a one. I can only start it jumping the starter on the relay but the alternator doesn't charge the battery back up, but if I put power on the alternator connector I think is a 3 or 4 pin (red wire) alternator looks like charge it. I test all the wires coming from the ignition switch but everything seems to be fine I m lost, because I search for the part and it is one but I can't see it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, August 7th, 2019 AT 1:20 PM
Tiny
CALOBETO IBARRA
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Thanks a lot for your time and help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, August 7th, 2019 AT 1:20 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Start with checking the fuse listed as PCM fuse at the relay. Test it for power in the start position.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, August 7th, 2019 AT 2:19 PM
Tiny
CALOBETO IBARRA
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
I check all the fuses and relays everything is good. When I turn the key to the crank position while I turn the key lights go off and when I return the key lights go on in the dash key.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 2:25 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
This sounds like an ignition switch or possibly dirty battery cables. Make sure the cables are clean.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 2:28 PM
Tiny
CALOBETO IBARRA
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Do you know why when I start the car jumping the starter and the car is running the alternator doesn't charge the battery? What should I check for symptoms in the ignition switch? Should I check power on the yellow wire (starter wire) coming out from the PCM? I appreciate you.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 2:52 PM
Tiny
CALOBETO IBARRA
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
The battery stays on when the car is running. (Only jumping the starter)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Check the fuse I listed in the diagram and make there is voltage to the 2 wires on the alternator with the key on.

I attached a diagram of the ignition switch. Check the yellow and pink wires at the switch.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 3:02 PM
Tiny
CALOBETO IBARRA
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
This is what the car does even with the battery fully charged.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 4:21 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, did you check the switch output as I suggested?

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 4:41 PM
Tiny
CALOBETO IBARRA
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Sorry I apologize for the delay yes I just check the following:
1. Dim (10A) fuse shows power all time
2. Ignition Pink wire key on shows power and yellow shows power when I turn the key to the crank position
3. Alternator connector with the key on. There's 3 wires red, gray and orange orange shows power the other 2 wires shows.37v and.46v.
Sorry boss thanks for your help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 10th, 2019 AT 5:20 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, you may have either a bad alternator or the PCM. From here forward, you need a scan tool that can read the charging system to see if the PCM is turning on the alternator to charge the battery.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 10th, 2019 AT 5:26 AM
Tiny
CALOBETO IBARRA
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
I just change the alternator same thing.
I have autel708 scanner what do I look for in my scanner I was doing some out put test with my scanner but starter and fuel pump says disabled I tried to turn the radiator fans on it won't turn on the fuel pump sounds like turns on every time I command to turn on.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 10th, 2019 AT 7:57 AM
Tiny
CALOBETO IBARRA
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Also the lights in the dash for the gauges don't turn on.
Just the lights like the ones show on the video that I posted.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 10th, 2019 AT 8:02 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You need to see if you can turn on the alternator. There should be a section for the charging system. If not, then your scan tool will not do this check.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 10th, 2019 AT 3:39 PM
Tiny
CALOBETO IBARRA
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Hey boss, I want to bypass the pass-lock is pk3 do you know what wires should I deal with? And how do I test for the resistance?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 15th, 2019 AT 6:38 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Why do you want to bypass this system? Is there an issue?

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 15th, 2019 AT 12:21 PM
Tiny
CALOBETO IBARRA
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
I was just going to try it if it works because I watched some videos about the same thing.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 15th, 2019 AT 1:07 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I know how to do it but am very uncomfortable sharing it as it is a safety system and I am not a fan of disabling any safety system.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 15th, 2019 AT 1:10 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links