Neutral safety switch?

Tiny
BERTHA49
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 HONDA ACCORD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
I had trouble starting my car and took it in to the shop. They told me I needed a new starter. A month later, I started having more issues, car would only start if I moved gears, hit brake or put it in neutral. I brought it back in and they said it was the neutral safety switch that needed to be replaced. I felt that they probably charged me for new starter when in fact it was the neutral safety switch in the first place. Do you agree? They adamantly disagreed and I was forced to pay for the neutral safety switch as well.
Tuesday, April 9th, 2019 AT 9:42 AM

24 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

It happens. The problem is that without the original starter to test there is no way to know. This guide will help you check the starter with diagrams below to show you how to replace the neutral safety switch.

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

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens. The 4 and 6 cylinder cars are the same
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Tuesday, April 9th, 2019 AT 2:06 PM
Tiny
BEAV44
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 HONDA ACCORD
2003 Honda Accord 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

The gear is stuck in Park postion and you have to engage the button on the sifter numerous times in order for it to move to reverse or drive.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi beav44,

Seems the interlock system is causing the problem.

With ignition switch turned ON and depress the brake pedal. Listen for a clicking noise at gear shift. If the interlock solenoid is clicking and you are not able to move out of Park, you would have to check the solenoid.

If no clicking noise is heard, check if the brake lights are working. A faulty brake switch would not operate the solenoid.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ALBERTO ESPARZA
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • 2002 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120 MILES
The shifter isn't functioning.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
More than likely this is not the range sensor but the shift interlock. The range sensor just tells the PCM which gear the transmission is in. If it is not in park or neutral it will not allow it to start.

If the shifter is not coming out of park or the shifter button (if equipped) is not depressing then this interlock is the issue.

I attached the info and testing if you would like to prove this out. However, if it were me, based on this info I would just go ahead and replace the shifter. You can also find quite a few videos online that show people fixing this switch. I have not had long term success with this so I would just replace it.

Let me know if you have questions. Thanks
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ALBERTO ESPARZA
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Okay, the shifter moves the gears are not entering it's in parking sometimes it gets revers or not it gets neutral the D jumps to D1 or D2.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. This could the range sensor if it is not adjusted properly or is failing. However, it normally causes a no start. Have you check the transmission fluid to make sure that is full and in good condition? That would be a more likely cause of this.

Here is a procedure to test the TRS and replace it. There is a process for making sure it is installed correctly.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ALBERTO ESPARZA
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Okay, as soon as we connect the range sensor sensor we make sure the put the gear in parking and turn the key to make sure the parking light displays in the dash, but when I shift the gears they skip gears or some won't display in the dash.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Sounds like it is out of alignment. I am attaching the process. Just run through it and make sure you had each position correct when installing it.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PETWAT1507
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2001 HONDA ACCORD
  • 266,000 MILES
Engine light steadily stays on got it checked out and got the code p0705 and p0706. My tcs lights also come on. Are they related and could it be caused by the neutral safety switch?
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Yes, the PNP is the culprit and it can cause the TCS indicator to come on.
Check the PNP wire harness conector for contaminations and looseness.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PETWAT1507
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you very much
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You're welcome. Let me know if you need anything else.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAKOTAHARGIS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1999 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 203,500 MILES
My question is if the neutral safety switch can have any othe effect on your car other than it starting out of gear?

Issues with my vehicle include:
-throwing off a P0607 and P0420 codes
-when I attempt to accelerate it acts as if it doesn't want to shift gears
-my RPM's are spiked (running, but in park reading roughly 1000RPM)
-when I attempt to accelerate it also whistles, but only when I press on the gas
-have to really push it to go over 40mph
-no smoking, no bad smell, I am due for an oil change soon, only sythetic oil
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAKOTAHARGIS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Those may not be the correct codes so don't pay attention to those
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TY ANDERSON
  • MECHANIC
  • 719 POSTS
The neutral safety switch is used for preventing the engine from starting when in a gear besides park or neutral.
It sound like you could have an exhaust restriction. I know you said not to pay attention to the codes but if you have a P0420 code this could indicate your catalyst is plugged. A vacuum gauge should show a restriction when reving the engine. Does the engine run well when parked? Rev the engine up to 2500 RPM does the engine run fine at this speed?
Another way of checking for restricted exhaust is to removed the catalyst from the vehicle and drive it to see if it runs any better. The engine will sound really loud without the muffler. Don't drive the car very long without the exhaust connected as the exhaust gases are toxic and extremely hot.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAKOTAHARGIS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
When I tried to do that in park today it acted like it wanted to stall on me even though it's an automatic. And no it doesn't run good at any RPM
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TY ANDERSON
  • MECHANIC
  • 719 POSTS
That really sounds like plugged exhaust. But I would like to know if there is codes what they are because a faulty sensor could cause this but is less likely.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SNVASQUEZD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 HONDA ACCORD
Transmission problem
1993 Honda Accord 4 cyl Automatic 200, 00 miles

I have a 1993 automatic transmission accord, it has problems identifying in which gear it is driving, took it to the mechanic he said it gave him a code 5, but it's not giving any other information. The mechanic mention neutral switch or ground problems.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:18 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi snvasquezd,

DTC # 5 means
1. Short in Shift Position Console switch wire.
2. Faulty Shift Position Console switch.

The problem would result in gears shifting only between 2 and 4.

Does the meter indicator lights for the gear shift positions indicate the correctly?

You need to check the switch which is located under the gear shift console.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:18 AM (Merged)

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