Neutral Safety Switch Problem?

[joe002]

Hi. I have a 90 Legacy LS FWD with an automatic transmission. I’ve been having very intermittent problems starting the car over the last 6 months– turn the key and nothing happens. If I shift between Park and Neutral I can usually get it to start right up, so I’m making an assumption the Neutral Safety Switch is out of adjustment/bad.

Does anyone know where the switch is located? Also, any ideas how to check if it is out of adjustment, bad? Again, I’m not sure the switch is bad, but from the symptoms it’s the first place I think I should look.

Thanks –Joe.

[vrg3]

I have this picture:

http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/~v/pics/nss.gif

Apparently, to properly adjust the neutral safety switch, you loosen the bolts around the switch, then shift to neutral, then stick a pin through holes that line up in the shift lever and the switch, then tighten it all down.

I wish I could offer more knowledge, but that's all I have. Maybe that picture makes sense to you? It looks like the switch is where the shift linkage meets the transmission body.

[joe002]

Thanks for the illustration. I tried to squeeze under the car, but I couldn't get very far underneath. I'll jack it up this weekend and have a look. Thanks again!

[vrg3]

Is it possible that you could reach the relevant area by removing the shifter assembly from inside the car?

[joe002]

No I think that would be more work/effort. I can see the pan and axle - like the illustration, I just can't quite get far enough under it to get to the middle

[eastbaysubaru]

I have the same problem. It's not that big a deal though, if it doesn't start right up I just put it in Neutral and it starts every time. Maybe I'll get to adjusting that neutral safety switch some day.

-Brian

[joe002]

The funny thing is that switching to Neutral doesn't always work, so either the switch is (getting) bad, or it's the starter/solenoid.