Where is the Neutral safety switch located?

APALLO33

MEMBER
2001 DODGE DURANGO
4.7L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
260,000 MILES

I cannot find the Neutral safety switch on my vehicle. I changed out the transmission solenoid and after I did that my truck wouldn't start. So, I looked up what could cause this and everything that I have seen says neutral safety switch. I opened up the transmission pan and it's not inside there I checked the driver side of the transmission and didn't see anything there either and I felt around on top of the transmission and didn't feel anything on top. My truck won't start, and I can't figure out why, the starter is new, and battery is new also.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,749 POSTS

Hi,

The park/neutral switch is located on the left side of the transmission (driver's side) behind the shift lever which the linkage attaches to.

If you look below, I attached two different pics showing the sensor. Check to see if it is located in that location. If it isn't, then it may be internal, so let me know.

Take care and let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

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Sunday, September 4th, 2022 AT 9:41 PM

APALLO33

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I checked those places and couldn't find anything, and I even checked the internal transmission and still nothing. It's an SLT model and I think the transmission is 45rfe. Is there a switch that looks a certain way?

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Monday, September 5th, 2022 AT 9:24 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,749 POSTS

Hi,

Interestingly, the manual is wrong. I rechecked the pics I sent and that certainly isn't where they are located on a 45RFE (4 speed). It clicked when I looked further. I never liked doing these because the TRS (transmission range sensor) is located on the top of the valve body.

The valve body needs to be removed. I attached the directions below for replacing the TRS. However, before doing that, will it start in neutral? If it does, then this would be my first suspect.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.

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Monday, September 5th, 2022 AT 7:43 PM

APALLO33

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I replaced a transmission solenoid in my vehicle listed above SLT and I also replaced the trs plate. When I put everything back into the transmission and all that the truck wouldn't start. The shift indicator light works on all gears except park and neutral.

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Thursday, September 8th, 2022 AT 8:14 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,749 POSTS

Hi,

If the indicator doesn't light for park or neutral, and you can't make them light if you shift slowly, you may have gotten a faulty range sensor. The TRS has six switches in it that determine shift lever position, supply ground to the Starter Relay in Park and Neutral only, and supply ground to the TCM for backup lamp control in Reverse only. Since the gears are working, the sensor is likely the issue.

Let me know.

Joe