2004 Toyota Corolla Neutral Safety Switch Replacement

Replacing the neutral safety switch in a 2004 Toyota Corolla. Should be similar in 2003-2008 Corolla's.
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**UPDATE**
In the end my problem wasn't a bad neutral safety switch. A few days later the car wouldn't start again, showing me the same problems I had had previously. Since my starter was original I went online to see if anyone had experienced a false read at AutoZone when you get your starter tested, and saw that it was possible. I believe their test only checks the electrical components of the starter. The mechanical arm that contacts the fly wheel I believe was not extending itself. I do not believe AutoZone's test will tell you this. Anyways I replaced the starter, put my old neutral safety switch back in, and have had no problems.

[@kssandhu4693]

Wonderful...thanks for laying out the problem as simply as possible..best..

[@23crazymaster]

Thank you so much man, really appreciate it

[@emiliocastaneda7732]

Thanks for the video good work explain everything

[@craigslstuser9]

Hi, Thank you for the video. You should have tried to move shifter to neutral and crank to check if will start. If starts then it is the switch if it didn't then you have someone else try to crank while you knock on starter body to nudge the starter. If the car starts then it is bad starter sticking sometimes.

[@UnconventionalThinker]

Thanks for the insight, for this problem I tried the trial and terror method, and found out it was the starter and that AutoZone's starter testing machine was no good.

[@prettyald]

So i replaced neutral safety switch. If i turned the bolt to neutral position, the car start right up but the trans gear doesnt engage. If i turned the bolt into other position, it doesnt crank or start but all the lights on the dashboard are on.

[@cinormak]

Thank you!

[@neal8720]

I admit I like getting stuff from amazon. The one benefit of getting it from a local auto parts store is it is faster, and they have very good return policy if it doesn't fix the issue. Just depends if you have the time to wait on shipping.

[@smather2175]

Yeah, I first went to Auto zone and they didn't have it in stock so they had to order it for delivery the next day. Total with tax was $51 and change. Picked it up, got home and realized I hadn't specified if it was for a manual or automatic - half my bad/half theirs - and got home and realized I had one for a manual transmission. My 2007 Corolla was an automatic. Returned it and when they looked up the proper part the cost was something like $178, only problem was they couldn't even get one. Went home and jumped online, and sure enough some were listed at the around the same price with a few notable differences. Amazon had it brand new for $38, it was Friday, and they delivered it next day, Saturday. So, save yourself some money if you can. Fortunately, the Corolla wasn't my only vehicle so having to wait from Thursday when Auto Zone ordered it to Saturday when Amazon delivered it didn't leave me without a ride. OH YEAH, forgot one thing. When I returned to 'clutch' safety switch - Auto Zone screwed that up because I did say 'Neutral'' safety switch - I found out that not only was it for a manual transmission, the one they ordered and sold me was for a 4-Runner. Changing now, and fingers crossed.

[@lizbiscuit6361]

Did it work? I have the same car as you. Hoping it's not the starter itself but still troubleshooting.

[@UnconventionalThinker]

My issue ended up being the starter. It's a cheaper fix than the neutral safety switch, if you end up buying from a brick and mortar parts store

[@shinola228]

There's a video on here where the host is discussing the starter system wiring involved with these Corollas and he happened to mention that all that switch does is connect the two wires coming into it. He didn't say you could just jump those two wires together to bypass that switch but it seems plausible. I'm not recommending it cause l haven't tried it but if you have the wiring diagram and it looks right it might work in an emergency.

[@billiebobbienorton2556]

Hope that helps me....thanks!

[@mindibaryah]

Same thing happened on my 2007 toyota camry.I found out that the plug that goes in the neutral switch was burnt

[@UpDownRoundRound]

Are the detents that hold each shifter position inside this switch? My shifter movement is stiff between gears, I’m trying to determine if this switch may be the cause without pulling the sensor off. Thanks!

[@UnconventionalThinker]

I'm not sure, but the sensor is fairly easy to remove

[@bnoyz3]

Is there a way to test the neutral safety switch? How did you know it was that, or was it just a guess? I've had my battery tested...good...relay is good...I was about to pull my starter, but this seems like it would be a lot easier to replace. Ha. I'm working on a 2006 Scion xB, but i believe it's very similar, engine-wise, to the Corolla. Thanks.

[@UnconventionalThinker]

bnoyz3 It's possible with a volt meter to see if it's an electrical issue, I believe there is a video out there for that. I tried but I couldn't get my volt meter prongs to touch the metal on the two ends of the switch. So I gave up on testing the switch that way. I posted an update in the description. In the end it was the starter. But I ended up buying all three, the starter, switch, and relay. And when I found out it was a bad starter. AutoZone took back the switch and the relay. If you don't know which one it is that is my recommendation. It's pretty easy to pull the starter. I thought it was easier than the safety switch.

[@UnconventionalThinker]

But you may want to make sure if you end up buying all three that they will take back anything you ended up testing on your car. At my AutoZone there were no questions asked.

[@R0ll_lex]

Will a bad safety switch cause the shift to move between gears, however feel like it’s in park still?

[@UnconventionalThinker]

The safety switch only moves based on what your transmission does. It's a switch, that when in park or neutral allows your engine to fire up. There is a little rod that comes out of the transmission that connects to the switch, if it wasn't moving but your transmission was able to shift, then you could have issues with the transmission interface and not necessarily with the switch. I hope I gave some clarification, let me know if it helps or not.

[@andymedina8235]

Make sure your parking brake is on incase you move the rod side. The switch part is only electrical, allows signa to pass throughl on/off to starter

[@supermansmamabear9099]

What other steps did you have to do at 6:32 when you said everything fired back up once you put the new one on. Did you have to take it out of neutral. Sorry if these are dumb questions. Been trying to fix my car on my own for about 2 months now

[@UnconventionalThinker]

So for the neutral safety switch once you disconnect the two bolts that hold it on and the lock nut that's on the center of the neutral safety switch that goes around the shaft that comes out of your transmission it slides off somewhat easy you don't really want to pry on it too much. But when you put a new one on it will slide back on just like the way you had it. But if you look at the switch itself you will notice a black line that is the position of neutral so you could clock it to the park position if your car is in park. The switch by itself I believe you can twist it back and forth between Park, neutral, first, and second gear. But when you pull your old one off it should show you what position the new neutral safety switch should be in when you put it on your car. Let me know if you have any other questions I hope this helps. In the end the neutral safety switch wasn't my problem for this it ended up being the starter but when I took it to AutoZone to test their tester was no good and it gave a false positive.

[@andymedina8235]

I would like to share one thing I saw. That the manual Corrola's have a switch under the dash from the clufch pedal that could go bad.

[@jasonbosch6533]

My 10amp ECU-IG NO.2 fuse keeps on getting damage whenever I shift from park to neutral or from neutral to park can this be the culprit? Bad reverse switch? 2012 corolla 1.6 auto tranny

[@UnconventionalThinker]

That I'm not sure of, and the only way to diagnose it is to try and replace it. But these switches can be pricey $200+. You could also have an issue somewhere else down the line. Do you know if the switch is in line with that fuse?

[@juliusojeabulu4529]

Pls my corolla always goes off on motion after I replaced the gearbox

[@rutherglen7226]

Is it supposed to be a square spindle all the way back to the transmission?

[@UnconventionalThinker]

Yes

[@rutherglen7226]

@@UnconventionalThinker I think that is what my problem is. I took off the old one and the new one will not go on. I have triple checked to make sure it's the right part for my model. Any suggestions on how to get the grooves off the square spindle? I think part of the old NSS is stuck/rusted in the square spindle.

[@UnconventionalThinker]

@@rutherglen7226 Do the switches look the same?

[@UnconventionalThinker]

@@rutherglen7226 Not sure I understand what is stuck on the transmission spindle.

[@rutherglen7226]

@@UnconventionalThinker here is a video. This may help. The switches look exactly the same. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnfXZ6Fne9V9d8k

[@dylanmilks]

I'm having a similar problem, except if I let the car sit for 20-30 minutes, it will start again. Does that sound like the same problem?

[@UnconventionalThinker]

Yes, that happened to me but what I found out was that it was my starter that was the issue. It's possible that could be your problem as well

[@fritzlankedelty2011]

Was your fuel pump still kicking on even though it was your natural switch. Are would the natural switch not make the fuel pump turn on as well ?

[@UnconventionalThinker]

So my issue didn't end up being the neutral safety switch. It ended up being the starter

[@ciusesnal4335]

i have trouble with this parts today i finished to replace it but the car could not start in parking

[@UnconventionalThinker]

You may have to verify it's not your starter or battery.

[@ciusesnal4335]

@@UnconventionalThinker no the problem is from the center of the neutral safety switch. bad alignment

[@UnconventionalThinker]

Gotcha

[@MegaMecoso]

I'm having the same issue with my manual 04 Corolla. Since auto zone tested the starter as good , I have been trying to figure out what else it could be. I'm going to buy a starter and install it and hope for the best.

[@UnconventionalThinker]

So I posted an update in the video description. Long story short, it ended up being my starter. I got my starter tested at AutoZone as well and it tested good. The nice thing seems with AutoZone you can take it back no questions asked. I bought all three items discussed in the video and took back the switch and relay when I found out it was the starter.

[@zachary9995]

When you remove and replace the switch, what position do you have the shifter in?

[@UnconventionalThinker]

I mainly either had it in park or neutral.

[@zachary9995]

Thank you

[@martinalbert5653]

The engine lights came on but the engine would not turn over when the engine was in park but once I put it in neutral the engine turned right over.

[@lizbiscuit6361]

Was it the neutral safety switch then? Sounds like it

[@alonsoalfonso2892]

FELICIDADES

[@losmoney82]

Seen new switches on amazon for around $30 for 05' to 10' corollas

[@UnconventionalThinker]

It's possible they may work I never got to try them. I ended up going to AutoZone and getting the one there. I think it was a duralast brand which honestly looked exactly like the OEM part

[@ehabradiology]

Good information, need to be more pro , in using the camera and show us more pro informative videos

[@poisonousnut]

about to change the neutral safety switch on my 04 Tacoma. wish me luck

[@UnconventionalThinker]

Good luck!

[@michaelfrancis2166]

What problems were you getting

[@UnconventionalThinker]

Car wouldn't start.

[@kristenefortaliza7608]

Did you try starting your car at neutral to determine it was the neutral safety switch?

[@UnconventionalThinker]

I didn't try that, as I found out later it was my starter

[@1111drsand]

Just FYI...if you’re not in a time crunch you can get the switch on Amazon for $38.

[@UnconventionalThinker]

For an 04' Corolla? Do you have the link?

[@1111drsand]

Well mine was an ‘07 but it’s the same switch. Just go to amazon and search “neutral safety switch 2004 Corolla”. They have more expensive ones but why spend an extra $160 on a sixteen year old vehicle? It’ll outlast the rice rocket’s life span I’m sure.

[@socknetea]

@@1111drsand a properly maintained "rice rocket" or any b series motor would far outlast, outperform, and is so much simpler to work on vs this ugly mess but just my opinion, I drive hondas and chevy trucks and everything in between.

[@1111drsand]

I’m not refuting, I concur. The first switch lasted thirteen years. Logic dictates that the second switch could last another thirteen. I don’t think saying a vehicle not lasting twenty-six years is an outlandish statement or a bash on the car.

[@TheJosephayal]

Mine is leaking oil, maybe a o-ring?

[@UnconventionalThinker]

Are you sure it's not transmission fluid?

[@TheJosephayal]

@@UnconventionalThinker yes trans fluid behind the neutral switch

[@UnconventionalThinker]

Was the fluid all over the switch with noticeable leaks down to the ground? I'm sure there's some type of oring or seal in that area, but it's not associated with the switch.

[@TheJosephayal]

@@UnconventionalThinker yes, looks like the fluid is coming from the neutral switch shaft

[@UnconventionalThinker]

So the switch doesn't have a seal to keep the transmission fluid from leaking. The seal would probably be internal to where the shaft is coming out of the transmission. The switch mounts to that shaft. So if you have a leak and your switch no longer works that would be likely two separate issues.

[@betogarcia7855]

Engine no crank and no start, new starter, but still same

[@UnconventionalThinker]

Did you check the battery and the neutral safety switch?

[@betogarcia7855]

Unconventional Thinker no battery is good! No crank no start and no noise or nothing

[@UnconventionalThinker]

It could be the neutral safety switch. But they are expensive $200+.

[@myg3480]

All the describing however not information on the size of socket needed to remove the locknut described at 4:08 in the video. SMH......

[@UnconventionalThinker]

It's either a 10 mm or 14 mm. It's pretty easy to reach in the Corolla.

[@Junior-qu4er]

23mm for future reference

[@UnconventionalThinker]

Yes likely for the center nut. The nuts that hold the switch to the transmission I think are 10 or 14 mm

[@Junior-qu4er]

@@UnconventionalThinker i think the one he was referring to was the center nut, thats why i chimed in with that, other than that great video

[@UnconventionalThinker]

@@Junior-qu4er haha yup he was I must have missed the locknut term. I would have gone and checked it but sold the old Rola a few months back.

[@tobisanders8586]

First of all thats a range sensor. Second the nss is near the gear shifter

[@UnconventionalThinker]

Yeah I'm not 100 percent sure whether it's called a range sensor or neutral safety switch when it comes to car vernacular. However, if you order this part for an automatic 2004 Toyota Corolla from a parts website or from a brick and mortar store it's referred to as a neutral safety switch.

[@teddyjennings6184]

hold the camera steady