Neutral Safety Switch
Automatic transmission systems need a large amount of safeguards to ensure that the safety of the vehicle is possible. One of these safety devices is known as the neutral safety switch which plays a big factor in how the vehicle starts. The device is for controlling when the vehicle can be started and whether or not the ignition switch will turn. The part must be connected through a special cable which can determine whether or not the vehicle is in an appropriate gear to start up. This safety device is now available in all modern automatic transmission systems and will be required to ensure that the safety of the vehicle is possible.
Without the neutral safety switch in place, a vehicle could be started in drive or reverse mode and will immediately start moving causing danger for the driver and others around the vehicle. This is put into place because many people would be oblivious to the fact that vehicles work in their intended gear setting when the vehicle is operational. The neutral safety switch is designed to take care of the fact that people are not as careful as they need to be when starting up their vehicle. It is important to look into the various options for your vehicle which may only be compatible with your vehicle to use during a repair or replacement of the part. Neutral safety switches are not available at retail automotive parts outlets.
Looking online is one of the best places to locate specialized parts like neutral safety switches. You need to really know the part number or be able to locate the same manufacturer of the part to ensure that it would be compatible with your vehicle. They have an electronic interface which must correctly fit through the wire into your vehicle to ensure that the neutral safety switch will work. Some of the available options will be manufacturer specific for your vehicle or may differ from vehicle type to vehicle type. A neutral safety switch designed to work with a truck may not necessarily work on a car or van. Getting the correct part is crucial to be able to ensure the safety of your vehicle when cranking.
One of the more advanced safety features is designed to disable the ability to crank the ignition when the neutral safety switch is absent or damaged. One of the ways to troubleshoot this is through switching gears. If it will not let you crank the vehicle while in the parking gear, try pushing down on the brake pedal and switching gear to neutral gear. Then try cranking in neutral gear to see if the ignition process goes through. If it does start the vehicle up, then you have a faulty or damaged neutral safety switch. One of the things that may confuse people is not being able to start the vehicle due to a stuck wheel. Sometimes driving up to a parking space and getting your wheels stuck a little on the curb will prevent cranking.
One of the most beneficial things to do is find a professional which can test the part out and order the part for you. If you have the skill and knowledge to do the repair or replacement yourself, then taking advantage of lower cost options online may be a big benefit. Some of the options available online may be designed for another vehicle so you need to make sure that you can identify the part or try contacting the manufacturer of the vehicle to positively identify the stock part you need.
