My car won’t start in park or neutral every once in a while. You’ve explained this so clearly. Great video! I’m going to get under the car and check it out right now. Many many thanks!
Thank you very much for this video. I just purchased a 2011 CVP with 68k miles on the odometer and on the first day of ownership my car wouldn't start after coming out of Wal mart. I quickly figured out what was wrong but didn't know where the switch was located or how to replace it. This helped me tremendously.
Just finished swapping the neutral switch out...it was a bear. So I changed everything, tested all the fuses and relays...still no start. No click, nothing. All the lights come on...(no antitheft though...would have been easy). Spent over 1000 dollars on this heap and still back to square one. I dont care how rare this one is but its about to become spare parts
@@k.lamareyev4418 Not yet. Its on hold now because of weather. I even bought a Snapon scanner (I caved finally I guess...) and did a full code read, and not a single code present. So, while it was frustrating, at least I know that its not in the PCM, or antitheft. It can't be neutral safety, since its new, and I did check that. The only thing left could be the actual ignition switch, which would make the car think Im just turning to ACC and not going past. I have my doubts (or maybe I just dont want to tear the staring column off lol). I may get a new starter. I did bench test the new one, but I didnt do it through the solenoid, just through a direct motor test. It may be a grounding issue. It has to be something really dumb at this point, so I figured, let it stay (its my car so no customer to worry about) and if I buy another starter, it can always go in parts storage. I do have doubts over my crimping of wires (I did use a heavy duty crimper...but with a broken back, and numb hands, its possible theyre weak. Maybe the lugs are not good? Ive come across really nasty chinesium lugs, so Ill check resistance again..but I just want it above 30 lol. Its been in the high teens all week, snowing, and the car is outside. Not fun at all). Sorry for the blog post here lol. TLDR: No, Im dumb lol
Lol no worries. Sorry to hear that. If you have a cvpi you won't have pats. That's one problem taken care of. Next time try turning the key to the on position like you Starting it if you hear the fuel pump buzzing if it does chances are you ignition switch is good. If you have a helper have them turn the key on pull the starter relay and check for voltage from the starter switch to the starter. You can also jump start your car fom the same relay. Hope you have her back on the road soon. P.s thanks for your reply.
I see your post is 3 yrs old... We're dealing with no crank no start....Needed new battery and it ran like a beast 2 times then nothing! Saw our negative was way too high so replaced battery cables..nothing. Replaced starter/solenoid..nothing. Checked relays and they were fine. Made sure grounds were everywhere. Now we're going to replace neutral safety switch after checking to see if rear lights come on. The most we've accomplished is getting a click in the relays. No thunk from the starter. Did you ever figure out your car?? My neighbor had exact same problem on her 98 crown vic and the neutral safety switch fixed hers. We're just going down the line of what to do and a little frustrated. We had replaced the ignition lock cylinder before all this because of the dinging. My husband and I have DIY'ed all our vehicles for 50 yrs...I'm not a dumb female :)) But this!!! Did I mention frustrated?? My husband covered in stitches right now so taking a break. Any update? 'Im in the opinion the ignition lock cylinder did something weird..froze up then kinda broke...my husband thinks not. We have these little contests to keep it fun.
It may also cause no A/C, along with backup lights, at least on P71's. I bought a new one from the Ford dealer- it failed within 2 months. Just bought one from parts store (with lifetime warranty) for almost half the cost as the dealer part.
I have a 93 Lincoln town car which should be exactly the same as your Crown Vic under the skin. You mentioned a clue to your natural switch was the reverse lights didn't come on...but your car still started. My Lincoln won't start in P or N but the reverse lights still do work in reverse. Does that mean there is NOT a problem with the natural switch? The problem started today when I used the car there was an ever-so-slight hesitation before the car cranked over. I did my errands making 2 other stops and starts No problem. But 1 hour later the car went completely blank in all gear positions. The car has a new battery and clean cables. Is it possible the natural switch is still the problem even though the backup lights still function when put in reverse?
When I put my Grand Marquis on reverse, the reverse lights don't work at all. Everything engages normally and I even changed the reverse light bulbs but nothing happened. What could be the issue causing this? Thanks.
Just replaced my starter for about 155$ Then I found out out my neutral safety switch was the problem. Pissed me off so bad. I have a 03 towncar that I use everyday, can't wait to get it running again.
Is this neutral safety switch smaller in older crown vics?...smaller and maybe slightly different functions, but the same result if it goes out? ..result being that you can't shift car out of park?.. I want to say its what my after market guide calls transmission range finder that is indirectly tied to the brake on/ off switch or boo- and I don't know for sure.. Please post if u have similar and have changed them out succesfully., or post if I'm way off base on this..
I have non working reverse lights on my '07 P71 Vic. Twice I've taken it in,twice the same mechanic has adjusted the switch,and the lights only work a short time then stop again. He claimed the last time he tried another switch and they didnt work so he re-installed the old one and adjusted it again. That time they only worked a week,the time before they worked 2-3 weeks. The car starts in park but not neutral. I wonder why it keeps coming out of adjustment. The mechanic says maybe the lever it mounts on is getting worn. Any thoughts?
Awesome vid, I like all your CV vids really (Liked and Subscribed). I have an issue where the car is in Park and I can't start it. If I move it to Neutral it starts right up. I also have noticed that sometimes when I shift it to Park it doesn't fully grab and will tick tick tick while rolling backwards. Is the fix in this video of the same nature or am I needing to research a different aspect of the gear selector /transmission?
Sounds like you have a slightly different problem. Sounds like you aren't engaging park completely. Could be due to a bad shift cable or issue with the shifter itself.
having a strange issue here. replaced the switch on my dad's 2000 mercury grand marquis, it's the same part as the one in the video, but now it won't shift out of neutral, and still won't start. we are at a loss here hoping you might have some insight, otherwise we'll have to get a local mobile mechanic to come check it out, and don't really have the extra money to spend on that right now.
I don't understand something. The hole is shaped in such a way that it can only go on one way. Therefore, it doesn't matter if the neutral lines line up or not because no matter what gear it's in the thing will still go on correctly. So you just put it on and then push the lever it attaches to back all the way and you're in park. What's the point of the lines then?
Does the same switch responsible to put the car into Limp Mode and delays the gear shift... Specially wheb the Wrench Lights comes up, the car is stiff and feels heavy..
05 Crown Victoria having trans problem will up shift and drive fine but when I’m slowing down/downshifting and I get to 20mph-15mph and then want to speed back but my RPM shoot up and then hard shift. It will only do that at 15-20 when I’m still rolling and wanting to speed up has a new MAF and TPS clear codes and reset computers still have same problem
When I put my Crown Vic on park there’s times where the Overdrive light will start flashing (you can hear the car idling louder when it does this) and it triggers the check engine light. On my scan tool it reads code P0708 “Transmission Range Sensor A Circuit High”. The Overdrive light flashing goes away on its own or I have to switch it from Reverse or drive and then put it in park again to make it go away. I hope this switch is the cause
I have a 2008 grand marquis, I was driving in freezing rain in January got home cut car off and try starting back up again no start at all? Is that a bad nuetral safety switch problem because of the freezing rain.
Having the same problem. The wiring plug that goes to the transmission is leaking. Fluid is shorting out the wires and blowing the Power Train Module 30amp fuse. I put a 40 and just fried my safety switch. Wondering if I can silicone the seal
I have no reverse either on my 06 vic it just stopped working it'll only go slowly if I step on gas just revs it's weird, did you change your transmission fluid
@@papo862 transmission grenaded due to fluid pump failure, it burned all the fluid. I got a new one put in but they didn’t install the fluid all the way lucky I caught on to it before it started burning up the clutches
I know this video is really old but I need help, my problem is in fact the neutral safety switch! But when I put my new one in my car won’t start at all
Question if I have to take this off for a snapped shifter linkage not replace it but just take it off and put it on and it’s in park what do I do? I don’t really have the option for it to be in neutral. Can I just take it off and put it back into the same position
Would a bad neturel safety switch cause my grand marquis to not be able to shift out of park? It shifts when the power is off but if I start my car it's locked in park
@@Gibblegobblegoob I'm sorry but I can't give that type of advice on here. It could be many things. There is an actuator that actually releases like a piston for you to be able to move the gear shift lever when you press the brake pedal when the car is running. There are many variables that go into that it might not just be a single part to be a wiring issue and such. When the car key is turned forward and you press on the brake you should hear a clicking noise that will allow the shifter to move.
@@JackofAllMasterofNone thank you I appreciate the advice either way I've been trying to do some research and try to narrow down the issue but like you said it could be a variety of things
My car won’t start in park or neutral every once in a while. You’ve explained this so clearly. Great video! I’m going to get under the car and check it out right now. Many many thanks!
Thank you very much for this video. I just purchased a 2011 CVP with 68k miles on the odometer and on the first day of ownership my car wouldn't start after coming out of Wal mart. I quickly figured out what was wrong but didn't know where the switch was located or how to replace it. This helped me tremendously.
Glad it helped. Enjoy your Vic. Great car!
Just finished swapping the neutral switch out...it was a bear. So I changed everything, tested all the fuses and relays...still no start. No click, nothing. All the lights come on...(no antitheft though...would have been easy).
Spent over 1000 dollars on this heap and still back to square one. I dont care how rare this one is but its about to become spare parts
Did you ever find your problem?
@@k.lamareyev4418 Not yet. Its on hold now because of weather. I even bought a Snapon scanner (I caved finally I guess...) and did a full code read, and not a single code present. So, while it was frustrating, at least I know that its not in the PCM, or antitheft. It can't be neutral safety, since its new, and I did check that. The only thing left could be the actual ignition switch, which would make the car think Im just turning to ACC and not going past. I have my doubts (or maybe I just dont want to tear the staring column off lol). I may get a new starter. I did bench test the new one, but I didnt do it through the solenoid, just through a direct motor test. It may be a grounding issue. It has to be something really dumb at this point, so I figured, let it stay (its my car so no customer to worry about) and if I buy another starter, it can always go in parts storage. I do have doubts over my crimping of wires (I did use a heavy duty crimper...but with a broken back, and numb hands, its possible theyre weak. Maybe the lugs are not good? Ive come across really nasty chinesium lugs, so Ill check resistance again..but I just want it above 30 lol. Its been in the high teens all week, snowing, and the car is outside. Not fun at all). Sorry for the blog post here lol. TLDR: No, Im dumb lol
Lol no worries. Sorry to hear that. If you have a cvpi you won't have pats. That's one problem taken care of. Next time try turning the key to the on position like you Starting it if you hear the fuel pump buzzing if it does chances are you ignition switch is good. If you have a helper have them turn the key on pull the starter relay and check for voltage from the starter switch to the starter. You can also jump start your car fom the same relay. Hope you have her back on the road soon. P.s thanks for your reply.
I see your post is 3 yrs old... We're dealing with no crank no start....Needed new battery and it ran like a beast 2 times then nothing! Saw our negative was way too high so replaced battery cables..nothing. Replaced starter/solenoid..nothing. Checked relays and they were fine. Made sure grounds were everywhere. Now we're going to replace neutral safety switch after checking to see if rear lights come on. The most we've accomplished is getting a click in the relays. No thunk from the starter. Did you ever figure out your car?? My neighbor had exact same problem on her 98 crown vic and the neutral safety switch fixed hers. We're just going down the line of what to do and a little frustrated. We had replaced the ignition lock cylinder before all this because of the dinging. My husband and I have DIY'ed all our vehicles for 50 yrs...I'm not a dumb female :)) But this!!! Did I mention frustrated?? My husband covered in stitches right now so taking a break. Any update? 'Im in the opinion the ignition lock cylinder did something weird..froze up then kinda broke...my husband thinks not. We have these little contests to keep it fun.
@@TLL999 yup, saw you posted again, so Ill answer quikc then do the longer on the last
It may also cause no A/C, along with backup lights, at least on P71's. I bought a new one from the Ford dealer- it failed within 2 months. Just bought one from parts store (with lifetime warranty) for almost half the cost as the dealer part.
I have a 93 Lincoln town car which should be exactly the same as your Crown Vic under the skin. You mentioned a clue to your natural switch was the reverse lights didn't come on...but your car still started. My Lincoln won't start in P or N but the reverse lights still do work in reverse. Does that mean there is NOT a problem with the natural switch? The problem started today when I used the car there was an ever-so-slight hesitation before the car cranked over. I did my errands making 2 other stops and starts No problem. But 1 hour later the car went completely blank in all gear positions. The car has a new battery and clean cables. Is it possible the natural switch is still the problem even though the backup lights still function when put in reverse?
Sounds more like a starter or relay.
When I put my Grand Marquis on reverse, the reverse lights don't work at all. Everything engages normally and I even changed the reverse light bulbs but nothing happened. What could be the issue causing this? Thanks.
Either the circuit feeding the reverse lights (look in manual and check fuse) or it's the neutral safety switch just like my issue was.
Thans man!! I have a 04 same color.
Just replaced my starter for about 155$ Then I found out out my neutral safety switch was the problem. Pissed me off so bad. I have a 03 towncar that I use everyday, can't wait to get it running again.
Well look at it this way, at least you know your starter should be good for a long time! Been there. 😉
Turn the key twice, pull the shifter up and crank it up in nuetral! Will work everytime
I just did the exact same thing in my 08 crown Vic
Is this neutral safety switch smaller in older crown vics?...smaller and maybe slightly different functions, but the same result if it goes out? ..result being that you can't shift car out of park?.. I want to say its what my after market guide calls transmission range finder that is indirectly tied to the brake on/ off switch or boo- and I don't know for sure.. Please post if u have similar and have changed them out succesfully., or post if I'm way off base on this..
I have non working reverse lights on my '07 P71 Vic. Twice I've taken it in,twice the same mechanic has adjusted the switch,and the lights only work a short time then stop again. He claimed the last time he tried another switch and they didnt work so he re-installed the old one and adjusted it again. That time they only worked a week,the time before they worked 2-3 weeks. The car starts in park but not neutral. I wonder why it keeps coming out of adjustment. The mechanic says maybe the lever it mounts on is getting worn. Any thoughts?
Unless you have transmission problems it could be the shifter cable is going bad. It's a known issue on these cars, especially the older ones.
Awesome vid, I like all your CV vids really (Liked and Subscribed).
I have an issue where the car is in Park and I can't start it. If I move it to Neutral it starts right up. I also have noticed that sometimes when I shift it to Park it doesn't fully grab and will tick tick tick while rolling backwards. Is the fix in this video of the same nature or am I needing to research a different aspect of the gear selector /transmission?
Sounds like you have a slightly different problem. Sounds like you aren't engaging park completely. Could be due to a bad shift cable or issue with the shifter itself.
Could this part cause a p0720 (transmission output speed sensor circuit malfunction) code and cause the o/d light to flash?
No. Most likely not.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Thanks for posting this. 👍
Can u still
Drive the car if u need a new neutral switch
Depends. On mine, no.
@@JackofAllMasterofNone My car starts fine and drives perfect. Would that switch alone affect just my reverse lights to not work?
having a strange issue here. replaced the switch on my dad's 2000 mercury grand marquis, it's the same part as the one in the video, but now it won't shift out of neutral, and still won't start. we are at a loss here hoping you might have some insight, otherwise we'll have to get a local mobile mechanic to come check it out, and don't really have the extra money to spend on that right now.
I don't understand something. The hole is shaped in such a way that it can only go on one way. Therefore, it doesn't matter if the neutral lines line up or not because no matter what gear it's in the thing will still go on correctly. So you just put it on and then push the lever it attaches to back all the way and you're in park. What's the point of the lines then?
Does the same switch responsible to put the car into Limp Mode and delays the gear shift... Specially wheb the Wrench Lights comes up, the car is stiff and feels heavy..
Usually the 🔧 indicator signifies a problem with the drive by wire system / throttle body.
The limp mode indicates a bad solenoid inside the transmission pan that has a faulty wire. I replaced mine with identical issue.
@@PursuitMode2011mine was caused by an electrical short circuit which was identified by the Ford agent.
Thank you very much. Very informative. Definitely subscribed.
05 Crown Victoria having trans problem will up shift and drive fine but when I’m slowing down/downshifting and I get to 20mph-15mph and then want to speed back but my RPM shoot up and then hard shift. It will only do that at 15-20 when I’m still rolling and wanting to speed up has a new MAF and TPS clear codes and reset computers still have same problem
I have same issue with no start and also battery goes dead overnight, had alternator and battery tested both good wonder if this switch is culprit.
Sounds like you have some sort of short somewhere
When I put my Crown Vic on park there’s times where the Overdrive light will start flashing (you can hear the car idling louder when it does this) and it triggers the check engine light. On my scan tool it reads code P0708 “Transmission Range Sensor A Circuit High”. The Overdrive light flashing goes away on its own or I have to switch it from Reverse or drive and then put it in park again to make it go away. I hope this switch is the cause
Sounds like this is most likely the culprit.
Did replacing the switch fix your issue. I have the exact same problem only CEL is P0705 transmission range sensor circuit
I have a 2008 grand marquis, I was driving in freezing rain in January got home cut car off and try starting back up again no start at all? Is that a bad nuetral safety switch problem because of the freezing rain.
Having the same problem. The wiring plug that goes to the transmission is leaking. Fluid is shorting out the wires and blowing the Power Train Module 30amp fuse. I put a 40 and just fried my safety switch. Wondering if I can silicone the seal
My car has an oil leak from this sensor. I don’t know if it is from this sensor or not ?
This doesn't seal transmission fluid so your leak is from something else
My car won’t go in reverse is this a possible fault?
I have no reverse either on my 06 vic it just stopped working it'll only go slowly if I step on gas just revs it's weird, did you change your transmission fluid
@@papo862 transmission grenaded due to fluid pump failure, it burned all the fluid. I got a new one put in but they didn’t install the fluid all the way lucky I caught on to it before it started burning up the clutches
I know this video is really old but I need help, my problem is in fact the neutral safety switch! But when I put my new one in my car won’t start at all
Did you ever find out why i wont start?
Very helpful
Question if I have to take this off for a snapped shifter linkage not replace it but just take it off and put it on and it’s in park what do I do? I don’t really have the option for it to be in neutral. Can I just take it off and put it back into the same position
That's what I would do
Thank you I need to rig up the shifter linkage to get it to the garage and an 8mm and metal zip ties are a lot cheaper then a $300 tow to my garage 😂
Hi, I have a 2000 Crown Vic and finding information on how to change it is all over the place, what year is the car you're working on.
2008
Nice video thanks
Would a bad neturel safety switch cause my grand marquis to not be able to shift out of park? It shifts when the power is off but if I start my car it's locked in park
Usually that is caused by a bad brake switch safety.
@@JackofAllMasterofNone my brake lights still work should I still replace it?
@@Gibblegobblegoob I'm sorry but I can't give that type of advice on here. It could be many things. There is an actuator that actually releases like a piston for you to be able to move the gear shift lever when you press the brake pedal when the car is running. There are many variables that go into that it might not just be a single part to be a wiring issue and such. When the car key is turned forward and you press on the brake you should hear a clicking noise that will allow the shifter to move.
@@JackofAllMasterofNone thank you I appreciate the advice either way I've been trying to do some research and try to narrow down the issue but like you said it could be a variety of things
My 2003 will not shift out of park, did you figure out the problem?
Life saver
Good video
My Vic feels like it goes into neutral then it goes back into gear. Well this part cause that?
Not really. Probably another issue.
Hello what size bolt is that for the neutral safety switch?
i have this same question. did you ever figure it out?
those side bolts can snap in the salt belt. Also very hard to get it off.
Can this part being bad cause a rough shifts
Not usually
Can a 2010 transmission police crown vic fit on a 2005 crown vic police interceptor
Yes 06 thru 12 same mechanical parts, 98 through 2012 body parts
Do you put car in neutral before you take this off
Yes.
@@JackofAllMasterofNone why do in neutral and not on park?
@@NYC_YELLOW_CAB because that's how the unit is installed when it's centered out on the marks.
@@JackofAllMasterofNone is there a way to reach out to you to send a video ? I have a 2011 NYC crown Victoria taxi with no power no crank
My car wont shift into 3rd think this could be the issue
Doubt it. But need a scan tool to double check
I’m having a no crank no start
Thank u
My crown Victoria goes into reverse but not drive
Dude I like your car,
I really like the color.
Check my video of my Mercury 🤓