How to fix your NSS - Neutral Safety Switch

In this video I'll show you how to diagnose, clean, fix, and repair your NSS or Neutral Safety Switch. It is a lot simpler than you might think. A Jeep Cherokee with a manual transmission does not have a NSS. Keep in mind that some symptoms of the NSS failing are:
1: Vehicle wont start until you wiggle the shifter handle or put it in Neutral
2: Reverse Lights not working correctly
3: Check engine codes, such as P0700 (Transmission Control System Malfunction)
4: P0705 (Transmission Range Sensor Malfunction)
For a video on how-to remove the NSS click here: • How-To Remove your NSS
If you manage to break it and want to buy a new NSS click here: Buy a NSS: amzn.to/2BgSOr0
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Disclaimer - This product is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, cherokee, wrangler, or any jeep vehicle. May be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the ride has come to a complete stop. Studies have shown viewing these videos causes increased cancer risks in laboratory test people. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction strictly prohibited. Driver does not carry cash. Objects in jeep mirrors may be farther than they appear.
PRNDL

[@ChasWG]

More than 7 years later and this video and channel is still so damn helpful!!!!! Thank you!

[@epictoast6727]

just stumbled across this hoping it will fix my brothers jeep.

[@edwaggonersr.7446]

I watched your fine video a year ago, I've been lazy and putting off fixing the NSS. I dug into it this morning after watching your video again. You sure were right, the hardest part of the job was disconnecting the wire and cutting the zip ties loose, I almost gave up. The rest was as simple as you made it seem. What a difference. Thanks for making these videos.

[@TexasRedneck]

Just did this today. Now the jeep starts, yay!

[@genestump9199]

Matt, Ty for making this video. I bought a 98 jeep Cherokee 4.0 and the reverse lights were not working and wouldn't start sometimes. It's the exact same part and when I pulled it out and opened it up, the copper pins and the one side wouldn't even move, after cleaning it just how you did and stretching the springs. Reinstalled it and everything works great now! I was so happy. Couldn't have done it without your vid. Thanks

[@kodiak7438]

That is awesome. I have a question for you, I have a 93 jeep Cherokee sometimes my key fob will not unlock the system, I am not able to start the vehicle. Do you think it is a neutral safety switch issue ? Thank you

[@Sami-by8hl]

You are creative. I watched several clips to fix the malfunctions, but they are brief, and some do not address the important things, unlike you. You explained the boring details. Thank you, my friend, and I wish you success.

[@dellalderman8011]

Whoa!!!!!! Spot on. Took me about 2 hours total to do exactly what you said. Even down to the zip ties. Thanks so much!!!! Now my reverse light comes on again. Hahahahahahahaha. Better yet it cranks up. Wife is happy. All is great again. Oh yeah the way I tested it before I took it off I put the jeep in neutral and held the key in the start position. I jiggled the shift lever slightly back and forth. Boink!! It cranked right up. Had to be the switch. Thanks again!!!!!!!

[@Shagggdude3]

What I've noticed, and appreciate about you and your channel, is you go into detail, as well as show repairs on the XJs you 🥫' t find anywhere else, thanks for that.

[@eightthreeminustwo804]

And he sports a sweet hat or crazy glasses.

[@thomasrayborn3177]

Thank you for this helpful video. I did my NSS on my 2000 Cherokee 6cy 4-speed automatic in about 1hr 50min. My electrical connector was a bear to separate, the three zip ties were a bit difficult to get to, but the hard part was getting the NSS off of the transmission spindle where the large nut is. I actually cracked the plastic back of the NSS a bit. The dealer told me yesterday that it would be around $500 to replace mine. I did it for the cost of brake cleaner, some dielectric grease, and time. Thanks again!

[@davidramos788]

Uintah ii0evpii

[@BenJaminLongTime]

After doing this myself I have some tips for others: 1. you can do it *without removing it from the jeep* . instead of cutting the zip ties just dangle it and do the work. There is plenty of slack to do it, but even if not, just cut the one zip tie. 2. careful *not to strip the threads* off of the shifter part when prying on it, I put very little pressure on it and managed to screw up my threads still. (it is aluminum and barely threaded on there, keep that in mind) 3. *IF YOU LOSE A SPRING* like I did, good luck finding a replacement. What I ended up doing which I 100% recommend, is to get a spring from a pen/mech pencil and get a drill bit just barely bigger than the original spring hole in the NSS. Drill it out so the pen/pencil spring fits tightly without binding. Clip the spring to the correct length and put the cut side down in the hole(this part prevents the cut side of the spring from binding up on the copper piece. Problem solved, works great on mine. Also allows you to get as much pressure on the contacts as you desire, so if your springs are worn out this is also a good solution there. 4. You may need a new gasket thing. Mine cracked apart like super brittle plastic when I opened it up, thanks Arizona heat and 27yrs. I dont know where to get one but I saw a different video where a guy had a replacement one so they are available somewhere. I may have to just use some silicone gasket idk.

[@shawnareynolds6458]

You’re rad. Thanks for the tips and your voice is soothing for those of us crying under our bleeping jeeps. I use a right hand drive mail jeep from Alaska (in Cali) and she’s new to me and giving me the run around. I will definitely keep you in my collection. Cheers!

[@treecounting]

THANK YOU !!! .. Very Nice !! You provided the answer for a lady whose Jeep would not Start. Most all the folks suggested the starter needed replacing. GOOD JOB !!

[@xrjake2955]

Thanks a ton! I was gonna shell out the $300 bucks or whatever it is to fix this but i found this video and spent 15 bucks on supplies and fixed it all up. Mine worked right in the middle adjustment perfectly after i cleaned it all up and greased it right. I love doing my own work and this was exciting to do so thank you again!

[@tuttmamman3490]

Just fixed my neutral safety switch and it now starts like it should. Thanks for making this video!

[@JD-ul2zj]

Thank you Matt! Bleepin Jeep always knows what's wrong with my XJ.

[@jaywholoveseveryone1721]

12-29-22 and, as Chas Gordon said below, this video and channel is still so damn helpful! Thanks.

[@DOLRED]

Yep, MY 2002 Chev Tracker ZR-2 has the identical part. In my case you have to disconnect the Tranny Coolant Lines to access the NSS--no big deal, only a shotglass loss of fluid as well. Your video is super great!!!!. I overhauled the NSS and it cost me nothing. This, after putting up with no-starts; and no-starts with the remote start as well. I hesitated doing the work because of the limited access area where this switch is located. Today, BLACK FRIDAY, I got the courage and after 3 hours the work is done. Oh...it pays big rewards to pre-spray the nuts/bolts and connectors with BP Blaster to loosen them.....This is one of the few times I soaked something a day in advance--it works.

[@vonJaerschky]

Just cleaned and fixed my NSS following this video. Works great now! Thanks again, Matt!

[@johnmixon22]

All of your videos are GREAT!! Thanks. One more check: see if it starts in any other shifter position. Warn bystanders, and dont try it in confined spaces. Thanks again for a very usefull and to the point video.

[@waynesanders1406]

I've cleaned this before years ago, but I recently had to replace my flywheel in the transmission and am now having code P0705 as you list in the description. I just remembered recently that the nut on it wasn't fully tightened on there and I tightened it back up and it shifted in the process. I think that's a problem I caused. I read where one person the Jeep Forum said you may have to adjust the position, and the best way to do it is get it backed up close to somewhere where you can see the lights turning off and on as you shift it around with the keys in the ignition in the On position. You have to center it up on the spot where the lights turn on and then lock it down. Thanks for posting the 0705 trouble code as that is something I wouldn't have identified as a NSS problem, especially since I accidentally bent the transmission shift cable in the process. I got it re-straightened and used some ingenuity to fab up something to keep the bent area from rebending. My vehicle wouldn't go into park until I fixed that.

[@SavedByFaithInJesus]

Great video! I have the same problem on my 01 cherokee. I was hoping for some pics/vid of the switch mounted to give location/orientation. On my 91 Cherokee the switch was mounted on top of the transmission and the mechanic told me he'd have to drop the transmission to change it out. He did by-pass the switch for me. Overall, GREAT VIDEO!! Thank you. .... and then I watch your video on location.... Thanks again!!!

[@MS_TN6420]

Having this very problem on a 93 cherokee right now. Now I know how to correct it! Thanks man, your videos rock. I am learning a ton!

[@andrewbetts8282]

This is an absolutely perfect write-up. I've been needing to rebuild my NSS for the better part of a decade and my Jeep finally forced me to do it today. I already had a general idea of how to do it, but this video really filled in some gaps and taught me a couple things as well. I accidentally broke the gasket that goes inside the unit and ended up putting a very light bead of silicone in the channel that the gasket sat in, making sure to keep it contained in the channel. Hopefully this doesn't present a problem in the future. Thanks a ton!

[@bleepinjeep]

No problem, glad I could help!

[@jaymelbo]

​@@bleepinjeep could the NSS cause my transmission to not go into overdrive /4th gear?

[@mybrotherscout3661]

Thanks! I watched your video today, 03-11-23, and repaired my NSS.

[@nockbaugh77]

you always post videos of exactly what goes wrong with my jeep at the time. so perfect

[@TheMrDmack]

This is great. Just had to jump the terminals on mine to get it working. Now ill take it apart and fix it with your help.

[@merlosso]

This was incredibly helpful. Thank you very much for taking the time to make and share the video.

[@iluvreefs]

Awesome job on this one! Got me thru the job in an hour. Thx Matt!! Keep it up.

[@mvideokid]

Thanks for your help man. Took me over an hour to remove it because I'm in the heart of the rust belt😒... Fixed it no problem though and now I won't get stranded 😉.

[@myvidss]

what an amazing DIY video. Worked like a charm now I have reverse lights again. Thanks alot!!

[@icemanbigbad]

Just wanted to say thank you I followed your instructions to the T and yes my neutral safety switch works a hell of a lot better thanks for posting the video thank you 👍🏼

[@jeffmccuistion5511]

These are the best Videos, thanks for how detailed you make these. Really helpful and saves money for me to be able to do this myself. Thanks again!

[@alphadelta9878]

Worked like a charm. My rig would start. Easy fix. Thank you!!!!

[@sonsofhexico]

Evergreen content is King

[@terrygrant3206]

the most thorough video i've seen. thanks.

[@amityskateboards6604]

Thanks a lot man! So much useless stuff on youtube but this is a gem. Thanks for taking the time and making the video it's much appreciated.

[@curtiskacin9306]

Saved me a hundred bucks. Good info. Being careful not to break anything is the main thing, I broke the plastic cover on the bottom trying to pry it off. simple fix with j-b weld.

[@bighoss9154]

awesome video fixed me right up...when your putting the nss back make sure its not forced. it will bind up if it does take it off and start over...that happened to me...thanks for this video tutorial....

[@alexcountryman7489]

thanks for the advice. This solved my no crank issue!

[@buckshot573]

Thank you for your videos, I have learned a lot from them and enjoy them very much. Keep up the good work and thanks again.

[@64bigfish]

Hey just wanted to say thank you for the info on this switch. I fixed my dad's on his jeep cherokee this morning. It did take a little to free it up from the shaft, but after that it was cake.

[@SatansSpatula]

Thanks for the video. The explanation of adjustment was particularly helpful to me today.

[@traceynorred6415]

Thanks Again! You will have my Jeep fixed in no time...

[@ExhibitTruth]

It worked just as you showed. The only thing I did different was instead of pulling the plug all the way through. (It was catching on everything.) I allowed the NSS to hang by it’s wires and disassemble it from under the vehicle. I cleaned it all up the way you did and reinstalled it. It took two tries adjusting the angle and now I have my reverse lights back. Saved me some money that can go elsewhere! Int the Jeep of course…

[@scottbrown321]

This will be my next move. Thanks for helping jeep owners.

[@jasperq7146]

Great vid Matt. Common issue with the XJ and it really helps to have a visual and the NSS can look rather intimidating. Thumbs up~

[@benaitchison6441]

Cheers mate it worked for me. You and your channel have helped me heaps keep up the great work

[@johnramsey3802]

Thankyou, fixed my reverse light problem...

[@TallManJae]

ok so i just done exactly what he said ...it went flawlessly will be watching more vids!!!

[@lylecoultas7542]

i have the same one you did. 1993 cherokee. almost tar on the inside. i used a feeler gauge to measure from trans case to nss. re installed and worked perfect. good video. Baxters auto parts wanted $220.00 bucks. I asked if they installed it and provided dinner before sex. lol. Thank you for your video.

[@keepinitrealjj]

Great video, this just saved me a bunch of time and trouble, THANKS!

[@red97jeep100]

Thank you. I've been dealing with that problem for years.

[@npcwill283]

Found a rock solid jeep for sale on craiglist 180k miles 1800 dollars they said it wont start ! This video helped me get the best per dollar vehicle possible in 2022 !~

[@swimmy7057]

Saved my butt yet again, thanks a lot brother🙏🏼

[@jesusgarcia4043]

This a very good video I don’t speak English well but I understood every word you said very simple very clear explanation thanks so much it will help me a lot!!! Thanks again...

[@vonguido1]

another solid video! Keep it up man.

[@sincitydude7296]

Great video bro! I'm having issues with my 96' jgc not having reverse lights. I'll check it out pronto!

[@Exocartonic]

Thanks you saved me 70 to 150 bucs on a new NSS .mine looked pretty clean on the outside but once I got it off the transmission and opened it up it was nasty inside.I cleaned it out applied the Dielectric grease reinstalled it and got the reverse lights working again.thx.i left the transmission in park while I removed the nss didn't have any issues.

[@kec26ferg]

Exocartonic will my Jeep pass inspection if it sometimes does the neutral to park start thing or should i fix it before

[@critical_mass6453]

Great instructional video. You're AWESOME!

[@vsixxshooter]

Very helpful and nicely explained video,thank you👍🏾👍🏾

[@LivingBeaverton]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Mechanic quoted me $225 to fix it and as simple of an thing that it is, I just couldn't see costing that much to fix. 30 minutes later and Jeep starts right up and check engine light is OFF! Total Cost $8 for new ratchet that broke during repair process.

[@victorsanchez9927]

Maybe he changed the parts wich is like 140

[@ExhibitTruth]

I know it was a loooong time ago, but thank you none the less. Just bought an 89 Jeep Cherokee Sport and my reverse lights don’t work, but the signals do. I’ll give this a shot :)

[@mgandthebookerts]

Very well done and just what I needed. Thank you!

[@AJ-ox6yi]

Excellent clear instructions! Thank you.

[@newburyportvideo]

Really nicely done video Great shots and great audio well done and by the way it helped me fix my wifes jeep. best regards.

[@Sparrowwest]

Cheers for this helped me with my Isuzu Bighorn in New Zealand pretty much the same NSS

[@mikekolbas8079]

Very well done, thank you. Going to save me time and money !!!!

[@chaddthebadd]

super helpful and the only video out there, so thanks alot, my reverse lights went out, a jeep forum told me its the nss, then i youtube'd for video about it, glad to know my car will start better knowing i did this. thanks alot again

[@albarth8747]

CHADWACK did lights work after you change the parts out? I'm having same problem no power at the reverse lights

[@chaddthebadd]

i did not change any parts out. there's a process of re-tooling the original part. once i did this my lights did begin working again. please watch the video and if feeling under qualified, ask a shop to perform the task. good luck.

[@albarth8747]

CHADWACK I watch 2 times , I just built inline 6 in 89 ford e250 runs like a dream. I got this!

[@MrIronman313]

This such a good video I had a problem in my 98 Xj it is gone but I now have an 01 will remember this if it ever starts to act up.

[@philg4116]

I’ve got a 2005 Dodge Caravan with a key-on-no-crank-X-times-before-it-starts problem, with X usually ranging from 5 up to past 20, worse in cold temps, and what I saw here led me to try something along the lines I’ve seen suggested of moving the shift lever in various ways, but a bit different. I moved the shift all the way from left to right through PRND3L, back and forth back and forth back snd forth like I might be scrubbing the moveable contacts against the fixed contacts, possibly moving whatever interfering crud to some other less interfering locations. Anyway, right now it’s starting on the second try at worst, so far, and I’m convinced that switch is the issue.

[@mireyajesus7]

Great video man tons of helpful info.

[@markaughenbaugh736]

this was a great help. I have had intermitant problems with this switch ever since I purchased it over 12 years ago and the backup lights never worked. All works fine now. One note of caution - don't pry it off. I cracked mine but it still worked.

[@bleepinjeep]

Mark Aughenbaugh good to hear you got it fixed!

[@sr20master]

+BleepinJeep thanks for making amazing videos. my 97 xj would throw a check engine light and it would feel like it was stuck in third gear from a stop. The NSS wouldn't come off as easy as yours did, and had to pry at it for a couple hours but it finally came off. I just wanted to say your video are really great and have helped me alot. thanks Matt! I'll be picking up a couple of shirts and stickers soon.

[@bleepinjeep]

+sr20master cool, thanks for supporting us!

[@ricksherrin558]

Should I put grease on the springs?

[@chaddthebadd]

upon further investigation, i opted out of adding the amount of grease you added, because i believe that is why the springs began not functioning while being suffocated by to much grease. i added maybe 90% less id say. and scaled the actual spring contacts barely. and then being from a rust state, i opted to replace the hardware with stainless. thanks again

[@chaddthebadd]

also bending the springs out a bit helps as well.

[@cristianmara9164]

Thank you for making this video man... :) Very helpful !!!

[@megamanmojo]

awesome video matt! but if you need a quick fix you can put a piece of wire on the negative side of the starter relay and then ground it to the negative side of the battery. but be careful by doing this you are bypassing the NSS so you will be able start you car in drive and reverse

[@mauricecardinal6352]

Excellent video. Thanks for the info.

[@dustinbuckley8577]

@BleepinJeep Thanks a lot for this video, it got my '96 Cherokee back out on the road again. The cleaning was really the easiest part. I think the whole thing took my dad and myself about an hour and a half. Thanks always for putting these videos out there.

[@dannyf4995]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful.

[@bsrbennett5251]

Really nice video -- thanks. I don't think this was the problem on mine (different car and not so hard to remove) but this video helped me find that out. You mention at around 7:00 that you read somewhere to put the vehicle in Neutral when you remove it. In some cars, there are holes that line up in neutral that you use to align the cable arm (putting a bolt through them temporarily until you tighten the arm and cable).. The way yours is designed, it doesn't seem it would make a difference, but it is an important step on some cars..

[@acendero]

Thank you! I saved 200 dollars!....... Great videos

[@TB-il3lo]

thanks for the vid, i did this today and it worked great

[@LZDEN]

i fixed mine following your guide and all is now well..thanks BJ ;-)

[@sikkvids]

that disclaimer xD and thank you so much :D

[@benefitairconditioning7125]

Superb video!! Thank you!

[@kentlpyne4267]

thanks for the video great info and an easy fix

[@timm3068]

Thanks!!! Better than CHILTON'S! I was messing with my '94 but didn't really see what the manual was trying to say. I'll subscribe now and check Bleepin' Jeeps 1st!!!

[@05Petedriver]

I have found that even minus the proper terminology you know your way around the xj, and have referenced your videos more than once with my own xj build and maintenance. Thingamabobbers lol

[@MrAitch6969]

Great video just what I was looking ! good procedure to follow will sort out me Freelander TD4 thank you

[@johneysebas5751]

thank you my man really helpfull video

[@05Petedriver]

thank you matt, this saved me $220 much obliged. subscribe clicked

[@nasirazizkwt1]

Thanks for this information

[@ryanwilliams9906]

This is 100% true it worked for me it will work for you! Thanks so much my Brother!

[@bleepinjeep]

Ryan Williams sure, thanks for watching!

[@posey2000]

Thanks, solved my issue.

[@geebobwiz]

good info, thanks man!

[@richpoquette1885]

Thanks video worked great. I couldnt fish mine out so I just took it apart hanging by the trans. I got lucky and didnt lose anything.

[@bleepinjeep]

nice

[@seeworthyglass2880]

Your videos have saved my jeep many a time. Going to see if this gets me back on the road now. Question how on earth did you change your shifter nob? That zombie one is awesome! I have the big T handle with the thumb button to switch gears, is that the one you had? How did you remove it?

[@Cptrad1]

What a life saver!

[@thomaswebster5060]

Very helpful, . Thanks!!!

[@josephacord6229]

Great video its gonna help a lot. Just wish I could've see where on the trani ou were talking about.

[@anthonycgreene95]

I've been waiting for the longest for someone to make a video about this! I've been meaning to do this, just was worried about breaking it when taking it off as I've seen others do. My Jeep has two codes P0700 and P0743 and I'm hoping this along with some new fluid and TV cable adjustment will do it. Otherwise its off to replacing the shift solenoids.

[@anthonycgreene95]

bleepinjeep Well it fixed the cranking problem and I now have reverse lights, however its still throwing the P0743 code for the tcc solenoid and P0700 for the trans control module.