About the neutral safety switch:
The neutral safety switch (also known as the inhibitor switch) is a safety device that prevents your car from starting if the transmission is not set to park or neutral. This stops the car from moving forward unexpectedly when the engine started.
The location of the neutral safety switch depends on the position of your car’s gear selected / shifter. If your gear selector / shifter is on the floor or the console, the neutral control switch could be mounted to the car’s transmission. If the shifter is on your steering column, then the neutral safety switch will often be located beneath the gear shifter.
Some manual vehicles have a similar device located under the clutch pedal. This prevents the car from starting without the clutch pedal being pressed down. As a result, vehicle safety is improved due to the car not moving suddenly or unexpectedly while cranking or starting the engine.
Symptoms of a broken neutral safety switch:
There are a lot of things that can stop your car from starting apart from a dead battery. A bad neutral safety switch / inhibitor switch can cause you to have issues with starting your car.
Engine won’t start while in park – A faulty neutral safety switch / inhibitor switch may prevent your car from starting while the transmission is in park mode. The car may still start when the transmission is set to neutral.
Engine won’t start while in neutral – Alternatively, a faulty neutral safety switch / inhibitor switch can cause the opposite problem to occur. The car may still start when the transmission is set to park but not while it is set to neutral.
Reverse lights not working – In some cars, the neutral safety switch is also responsible for activating the reverse lights when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. If the switch is faulty, the reverse lights may not illuminate when the transmission is in reverse gear.
Problems shifting gears – In some cases, a malfunctioning neutral safety switch can cause issues with shifting gears. You may experience difficulty moving the gear selector out of park or shifting into different gears.
Car not starting at all – In severe cases of a bad neutral safety switch / inhibitor switch, the car will not start at all. This is because the switch is stuck and thinks that the car is in the incorrect gear.
Other reasons your car may not start >
In some cases, the opposite problem may occur and the car will start while in any gear (including drive and reverse gears). This can be dangerous because if the car is in drive, the car may lunge forward unexpectedly.
Neutral safety switch location
The location of the neutral safety switch can vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle. In most vehicles, the neutral safety switch is located on the side of the transmission housing, near the gear selector linkage.
Is it safe to drive with a malfunctioning neutral safety switch?
Driving with a malfunctioning neutral safety switch is not recommended and can be unsafe. This is because it can cause unwanted side effects, such as:
- Unexpected vehicle movement when turning your vehicle on/off
- Difficulty starting the vehicle in an emergency
- Inoperable reverse lights
If you need to drive, we recommend you park or level terrain and be ready to steer the vehicle accordingly when you start it. If your car has a key ignition, your foot should be on the brake as you start the vehicle.
Neutral Safety / Inhibitor Switch – Repair & Replacement in Hamilton
Are you having problems with your car’s neutral safety / inhibitor switch? If so, we can help!
At Grimmer Motors, our team of experienced, talented and qualified mechanics can diagnose problems in your transmission system, determining whether the neutral safety switch / inhibitor switch is the source of your issue. If it is, we can perform a replacement, providing your car with a new neutral safety switch / inhibitor switch.
For reliable, effective and high-quality neutral safety switch / inhibitor switch repairs in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!