Replace 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Park and Neutral Safety Switch Transmission Sensor

[@robbob3718]

For initial adjustment, you’re supposed to shift the transmission into neutral, then put the sensor on with the marks as aligned as you can, then put the mounting bolts on, do fine adjustment to align the marks on the sensor body & collar. Then final install.

[@FliesLikeABrick]

Thanks for the video. On my ranger I removed the module since it was causing my reverse lights not to work. Before plunking down for a new one, I figured there was nothing to lose by trying to fix the old one. It's already broke, so no harm! I drilled out the rivets (aluminum, easy) and sure enough one of the wiper contacts fell out of the wiper arm. I reinstalled it and drilled for a cross pin to retain the contact since the plastic bit that originally did the job had worn or broken. Sure enough it worked perfectly after going back together with some new rivets (could have used small screws and nuts). Thought I'd share for someone else - this is a very simple part inside, there's no harm in opening it and trying to fix it if the alternative is replacing it!

[@TheFixitShed]

If I had left the new part in, I was going to take the old one apart to see what was going on inside. Thanks for contributing!

[@victorborges9523]

Great to know. THANK YOU A LOT !

[@preshere]

Hey @FliesLikeABrick- You didn't happen to take pictures did ya? Can you share? I figured maybe dirt & grime got inside, and seeing the rivets, thought to open it up as well.

[@FliesLikeABrick]

@@preshere I did but KZbin won't let me post a link (I tried but the comment isn't showing up) , not sure what to do

[@JulieMasotti]

Thanks. Showed my boyfriend up when I told him put in neutral to start and then explained the most likely issue😊

[@TheFixitShed]

LOL! Glad it helped.

[@markmurto]

So I have to tell you that this post was immeasurably helpful to me. I had a starter stop working. Tested all fuses and wires and relays. And yes the starter was quite old and crusty, so I pulled it out... but a bolt snapped off and I had to go to a shop with a lift to get that taken out of the trans housing. Got the new starter mounted by the guys who drilled the bolt out. They said they had to disassemble stuff to get a drill in there, but I guess they just had no clue how to adjust the shifting trouble upon reassembly. Got the Exploder home and it just wasn't right. Shifting was very sloppy. The gears were all screwed up, sometimes the starter wouldn't work, it refused to start in neutral without tweaking the shift lever, and reverse did not engage well. I wasn't encouraged to return it to that shop so I just got on it myself. But no matter how I adjusted the cable, it was still a mess. Then I watched your video by chance on the neutral safety switch being adjustable! "Ah ha," I thought. The shop may be did mess with that, and not only does that control your start situation, it might also provides the fluid valves station clicks for the shift lever. So I put the transmission in neutral and adjusted the switch bit by bit until the engine started in neutral, and locked it down And wow! All the gears were lined up properly again too. ( You can not drive with the lever not in the right spots or you will ruined the transmisdion quickly. ) But I was baffled on how to reset the right positions until your video put the right piece in my mind I could not have guessed the clicks the lever made between gears were part of the neutral safety switch. So that switch's proper adjustment is much more important than just for starting in neutral or park. It's also the valve controller for the gears. Thanks a million for giving me the simple solution in minutes it took me all day to research to solve!

[@TheFixitShed]

Glad it helped. Congratulations on you your success!

[@andrewangelillo9940]

New part isn't defective, you're adjusting it improperly. when you install the new unit put in the 2 screws loosely, put the arm for the shifter on the shaft without the nut, put it in neutral, Then take the arm off and look if the line that says neutral and the line on the white piece that goes around the shaft lines up and adjust accordingly. That is how you adjust it

[@TheFixitShed]

Correct! I do have text in there at 6:51 stating that it is not defective, but neither was the original part, it just needed to be adjusted. That is why I put it back on, and adjusted it. Your way sounds like a pretty intilligent way of lining it up. I just used trial and error. Hopefully what people take away from this video is to try adjusting it before you replace it.

[@jbs000511]

I don't understand in the text. Could you please be more explicit through a video, please?

[@xfiles-thetruthisoutthere8038]

Your video was very helpful. I installed one on a Ford Ranger and all went well. Thank you! 👽

[@TheFixitShed]

Glad it helped!

[@BihhhImDaGoat]

Glad u figured out what the actual problem was, I was thinking the same thing as soon as the truck still didn’t start knew that’s why the spacing was there for the adjustment

[@TheFixitShed]

Yup, wish I had thought of that before I bought the part

[@Foof50]

For anyone about to do this the big one is 15 mm in a smaller one is 8 mm. If you have four-wheel-drive you will need wrenches because sockets won't fit with the front drive shaft. If your shifter seems hard to shift replace this. Mine was stiff for the first four months I owned it and then I lost backup camera and reverse lights. I replace this and now it shifts easily. Be sure to spray WD-40 on the big nut before you even attempt this. Also need WD-40 on the shaft so that the sensor will slide off. I ended up having to break mine and using channel locks to get the plastic insert off the shaft

[@TheFixitShed]

Thanks for sharing all that great info!

[@Matthew-y5g]

Ill try it in the morning Thanks for giving me hope

[@TheFixitShed]

good luck!

[@brandonhuggins1949]

Glad you posted this. My sport tracs engine light just came on and the code reads transmission range sensor.

[@TheFixitShed]

Sweet! So you might actually need to replace yours

[@brandonhuggins1949]

@@TheFixitShed Maybe, my cluster gauge is going bad so I’m going to remove the code with my scanner and if it comes back on then I’ll know to change it. Not even sure if a bad cluster gauge would throw a random code like that.

[@mumbles552]

Good video but the trans should be placed in neutral first and the marks on the switch carefully lined up before installing it. All you have to do then is attach the linkage, plug it in, and Bob's your uncle!

[@jayayyyyy]

Also my aunt!

[@tommeeks8985]

My 2004 Mazda B4000 automatic had same problem. I replaced the safety switch but still had a no start. It was the starter, when truck was up to operating temp won’t start. I replaced the starter and it fixed the no start . Old starter had over 200,000 miles on it.

[@TheFixitShed]

Good to know. Thanks for sharing.

[@QuesoDePalo]

This one feels adventurous!

[@TheFixitShed]

Interesting. What evokes that feeling? Music? Camera angle?

[@QuesoDePalo]

@@TheFixitShed That's a great question, I think looking at something I've never seen before, plus the missteps that we are all bound to make, and yeah, that close up angle on the parts made me question my mechanical knowledge, even the little I have lol.

[@cookieman128]

I'm having that issue but my problem is what ever you were saying about those screws under the dash. What is that and how do I fix it?

[@TheFixitShed]

the screws the hold the cables and/or the linkage. If they are loose, all you need to do is tighten them.

[@cookieman128]

@@TheFixitShed one of the screws fell out completely then a little bar fell out from down there a couple of days after. Is there a certain name for either those screws or the part they screw into?

[@TheFixitShed]

@@cookieman128 Probably, but i couldn't tell you what the names are.

[@rubbedlung]

What are the screws that you referenced at the beginning that happened to already be tight?

[@TheFixitShed]

If you look at the under dash shot right after I say that, there is a metal disc with holes it. Just below the disc, you can see a phillips head screw. I believe that is what I was refering to, but it has been a couple years. If you move the lever back and forth, look for any play in the movement. Anything that looks loose or like it it shifting back and forth while the lever is being moved should be tightened down.

[@rubbedlung]

@@TheFixitShed Thank you.

[@JamesSowell-n1p]

Can a real od switch stop sending a singel to the selinoid with out having any other symptoms.

[@TheFixitShed]

Yes. I think the only other thing that it does is turn the reverse lights on when in reverse.

[@MultiBandit2011]

Why don’t y’all give bolt size

[@MatthewKinnaman]

My Manuel lever spins now because it was so tight to get that first nut off,if it spins did it just come out of place?do you know?

[@TheFixitShed]

I do not know, but that doesn't sound good

[@MatthewKinnaman]

@@TheFixitShed thank you for the reply.Yeah,I think it's bad.Im about to take the transmission pan off

[@steveedward5074]

That was interesting. thanks

[@TheFixitShed]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@donkellar9816]

I'm going to buy an 03 sport Trac tomorrow one owner 117000 actual miles on it they said it wouldn't go into reverse but it shifts out good as you get it going but you couldn't put it in reverse it wouldn't go is very clean is run but when you put it in drive it shifts out just like it's supposed to I'm thinking rain selector switch on it I haven't checked the fluid stuff on it going back tomorrow to get it but worse comes to worse I've got another sport Trac that I'm pulling motor out of it and putting another sport Trac and it's got a good transmission if I have to I will use it

[@TheFixitShed]

I hope it works out for you. The sport tracs are fun and useful.

[@donkellar9816]

@@TheFixitShed this one will be my third one that the original I bought new in 01, it has a quarter million miles, and the third motor about ready for its Forth, so I buy another that's got a good motor and, and since then I found this one now it's a one owner of 11700 mi on it and it's clean it's nice and runs good, it just doesn't go in reverse you put it reverse it's supposed to be but nothing happens they said they drove it for days ago it's an older couple and said it worked fine until they tried to put it in reverse and it wouldn't do anything so it appears time to get

[@donkellar9816]

Well I've gotten on up in the years I'm 76 and I used to love working on a hot rods I put V8 on Z's I put V8 and I would love to put a 351 Windsor with a supercharger in a sport trac make it a sport trac l i g h t ing

[@DibroTeam]

Is that 5r55s?, I have issues after rebuild, something from D to R doesn't not engage. I put D-P-R. Only I have problem with R when i put it from D

[@TheFixitShed]

That is odd. It sounds like you know more about it than I do. I don't know that I have much help to offer.

[@markmurto]

The shift lever is really the valve controller that changes the fluid flow direction in the system. The neutral start switch provides the clicking sounds and stop points to line up the ports. If it is off just a little but, you will not drop into gears R and D correctly and cause troubles with fluid file. Having an OEM neutral start switch adjusted exactly right is essential appairently to the proper shifting. If you line up neutral exactly right so the engine starts, R and D should be right on target.

[@Visiorary]

That front shaft looks nasty!!!

[@TheFixitShed]

Yeah, that truck was pretty rusty underneath

[@ezkoshows7136]

Hey thanks for the video, I have a question. So I got it to start in park, and I can get it to switch to reverse, neutral, or drive. The thing is I can’t get it back to park without moving the lever back by hand under the car. Any idea on why? Thanks, any help is appreciated

[@TheFixitShed]

Does the shifter go into park, or does it get stuck before going in? If you can move the shift lever by hand, when everything is hooked up, it sounds like there might be some slack in the cable. Make sure it is secured where it is supposed to be and not sliding around.

[@ezkoshows7136]

@@TheFixitShed yes I can move it by hand with everything hooked in. Let’s say the bottom shifter and the top are both in park, if I move it to drive it does go but when I put it back to park it only goes back inside the vehicle but the bottom still stays in drive

[@TheFixitShed]

It sounds like something isn't right with the cable. Something isn't secured or is bent. It can pull but not push. Check under the dash and see if you can find something that doesn't look right while you(or someone else) moves the shifter on the steering column.

[@ezkoshows7136]

@@TheFixitShed do you have a phone number? I can send you a video of how it looks from under the car

[@TheFixitShed]

Not one that I want to give out. Can you upload to KZbin and send the link?

[@calkay4857]

The middle nut bolt is seized and i tried loosening it to replace the sensor but the whole thing just spins. The nut wont come loose. Im guessing something is going on internal. Whats going on, what should i do next.

[@TheFixitShed]

It is going to move some, to allow it to select gears P, R, N,D..., but if it is spinning all the way around, that's not good. I'll agree with you that something might be broken internally. If it isn't spinning all the way around, I'd be soaking it with penetrating oil (WD-40) for a few days. If that doesn't work, heat would be next. If you are replacing the switch anyway, you don't have to worry about damaging the switch with heat.

[@nicolecandelario6518]

Middle bolt snapped on my husband it is coming completely out! I'm screwed

[@nicolecandelario6518]

I had to have car towed to transmission shop they had my car for almost a week they said i needed a new starter also and now this.. they said they didn't touch the transmission but they did something! Check advance track service engine soon and the overdrive light is blinking and it's saying overdrive is off That also keeps saying check transmission and it keeps beeping. The car doesn't want to go in reverse i have to play with it. A couple of weeks go by my windows stop working theyre stick half way open and just sitting at a red light I have to turn car off and on n try shifting it back into drive. Should I go back to the transmission shop it's under warranty there but I gotta find away to get there. I'm sorry for venting. Do u happen to know what the bolt is called I really appreciate it. Thank you for your video.

[@aidanobrien6462]

So my truck starts but the shifter floats between reverse, neutral, and drive and won’t catch. How do I fix that?

[@TheFixitShed]

Those resistance points are internal to the transmission. If the shifter is floating, make sure the linkage between the shifter and the transmission is all properly connected. Hopefully it is just an issue with the linkage.

[@tomtandog5024]

thanks

[@TheFixitShed]

You're welcome!

[@guy-robertlolo3678]

Bien

[@TheFixitShed]

Merci

[@JOE_XD]

@@TheFixitShed Oui merci! ;) doing the job right now.

[@victorborges9523]

Understood the whole idea. Question: Why bother reinstalling the lever? - Set the shifter in neutral, remove the lever nut, set the alignment marks in neutral, no lever, just start the engine. No crank? Then re-adjust. Finally, install the lever. Thank you for NOT taking out the shifter line from the lever. Let's repeat: Just loosen the two bolts on the OLD P/N Sw - Transm Range adjust and try starting before buyig a new unit. So basic. How it went under the periscope?

[@victoraleman2712]

It happened to me On my F150 2001 it was the one on the steering wheel

[@TheFixitShed]

Glad you got it figured out.

[@nathanrepke1680]

My truck won't crank won't start even after messing with the shifter. When I do turn the key, the emergency/park brake light comes on with each turn. What could it be?

[@TheFixitShed]

Starter solenoid or starter Maybe?

[@nathanrepke1680]

@@TheFixitShed I've replace the battery, alternator and starter. Also switched the starter fuse and relay around. All dash and interior lights come on just fine, battery light never comes on.

[@TheFixitShed]

Maybe the park neutral safety switch actually failed. Have you tried starting it in neutral? Other than that the only thing I can suggest is to start chasing wires. Find out what's getting power and what isn't. It sounds like you've addressed all of the common points of failure.

[@nathanrepke1680]

@@TheFixitShed yep, tried starting it in neutral too. Really weird but yea, sounds like wiring at this point.

[@xfiles-thetruthisoutthere8038]

Don’t know what your driving but try a different ‘relay’ in the fuse box under the hood. Look at your manual diagram for the names given to the relays. 👽

[@wtorres562]

If you see the part cost $70.00 and don't pretend that finding one for $35.00 made in China will do the same as the original part.

[@TheFixitShed]

The part was from Dorman. They have been making quality aftermarket parts since 1918. This part was manufactured in Taiwan, but where does the Ford OEM part come from? Even so, the point of the video is that the replacement part behaved exactly the same as the OEM part. That was what made me realize it wasn't necessary to repace it, it could be adjusted intead.

[@adrianescalante5702]

Would this be the cause of me getting a p0705 code ? And the O/D light come on .. also the dash saying trans fault?

[@TheFixitShed]

It sounds like it might, but It looks like it could be one of many other issues as well. I highly recommend posting your question to an automotive help forum (like www.scottykilmer.com)

[@RepairGang]

Jesus there is alot of rust don't get that rust here in the desert

[@TheFixitShed]

Yeah, I keep my fingers crossed when I take it in for inspection each year