Neutral Safety Switch on 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[rk1407]

I am going to attempt to replace the neutral safety switch on a friend's 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Straight 6, auto-42re trans)

I have the part and have done some research after she said her reverse lights were not working and it looks like this is a common problem on these models.

Any tips on this job? My only concern after poking around the net is the neutral safety switch and the speed sensor look the same and are very close together. Any way to tell which is which w/out extra work? Supposedly they are on the passenger side of the trans close to where the trans meets the transfer case.

Thanks in advance.

 

[strongt]

The speed sensor is located in the rear of the tranny in the overdrive unit. The Positon Switch is located close to the pan. As you can see from the picture, the other side of the switch is just inside the tranny pan next to the filter.

Maybe this will help you. It's from the FSM:

PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION
SWITCH
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - PARK/NEUTRAL
POSITION SWITCH
The center terminal of the park/neutral position
switch is the starter-circuit terminal. It provides the
ground for the starter solenoid circuit through the
selector lever in PARK and NEUTRAL positions only.
The outer terminals on the switch are for the backup
lamp circuit.
SWITCH TEST
To test the switch, remove the wiring connector.
Test for continuity between the center terminal and
the transmission case. Continuity should exist only
when the transmission is in PARK or NEUTRAL.
Shift the transmission into REVERSE and test
continuity at the switch outer terminals. Continuity
should exist only when the transmission is in
REVERSE. Continuity should not exist between the
outer terminals and the case.
Check gearshift linkage adjustment before replacing
a switch that tests faulty.

PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH (Continued)

REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle and position drain pan under
switch.
(2) Disconnect switch wires.
(3) Remove switch from case.
INSTALLATION
(1) Move shift lever to PARK and NEUTRAL positions.
Verify that switch operating lever fingers are
centered in switch opening in case (Fig. 197).

(2) Install new seal on switch and install switch in
case. Tighten switch to 34 N·m (25 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Test continuity of new switch with 12V test
lamp.
(4) Connect switch wires and lower vehicle.
(5) Top off transmission fluid level.

 

[rk1407]

Originally Posted By: strongt
The speed sensor is located in the rear of the tranny in the overdrive unit. The Positon Switch is located close to the pan. As you can see from the picture, the other side of the switch is just inside the tranny pan next to the filter.

Maybe this will help you. It's from the FSM:

PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION
SWITCH
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - PARK/NEUTRAL
POSITION SWITCH
The center terminal of the park/neutral position
switch is the starter-circuit terminal. It provides the
ground for the starter solenoid circuit through the
selector lever in PARK and NEUTRAL positions only.
The outer terminals on the switch are for the backup
lamp circuit.
SWITCH TEST
To test the switch, remove the wiring connector.
Test for continuity between the center terminal and
the transmission case. Continuity should exist only
when the transmission is in PARK or NEUTRAL.
Shift the transmission into REVERSE and test
continuity at the switch outer terminals. Continuity
should exist only when the transmission is in
REVERSE. Continuity should not exist between the
outer terminals and the case.
Check gearshift linkage adjustment before replacing
a switch that tests faulty.

PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH (Continued)

REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle and position drain pan under
switch.
(2) Disconnect switch wires.
(3) Remove switch from case.
INSTALLATION
(1) Move shift lever to PARK and NEUTRAL positions.
Verify that switch operating lever fingers are
centered in switch opening in case (Fig. 197).

(2) Install new seal on switch and install switch in
case. Tighten switch to 34 N·m (25 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Test continuity of new switch with 12V test
lamp.
(4) Connect switch wires and lower vehicle.
(5) Top off transmission fluid level.


Wow, thanks much. This is very helpful. I am not sure about installation part #1. I wasn't planning to drop the pan, I was hoping to remove and install the switch and be done with it. I read others have had success doing it.

Thanks again for the info.

 

[Donald]

You do not need to drop the pan, just catch whatever comes out when the switch is removed.

It does not always work on my 2001 Jeep. Maybe once every few months it will not start in PARK. I move the shift to N and it always starts. So it does not bother me all that much.