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How To Replace Neutral Safety Switch 1997-2003 Ford F150
Created on:
Tools used
12mm Socket
15mm Wrench
Socket Extensions
15mm Socket
Pry Bar
8mm Wrench
Flat Blade Screwdriver
Paper Towels
8mm Socket
Slip-Joint Pliers
Ratchet
Wire Brush
12mm Wrench
1. Removing the Neutral Safety Switch
Park the vehicle on level ground
Chock the wheels
Put the transmission in neutral
Clean the neutral safety switch with brake parts cleaner
Wipe off the switch with paper towels
Disconnect the electrical connector from the switch
Counterhold the shifter control arm arm with groove jaw pliers
Remove the 15mm nut from the neutral shifter control arm
Pry off the arm with a flat blade screwdriver
Turn the switch shaft with a 12mm wrench to line up the marks
Remove the two 8mm bolts from the switch
Pry the switch off the transmission selector shaft with a flat blade screwdriver or pry bar
Clean the switch mounting area with a wire brush
Clean the switch mounting rea with brake parts cleaner
2. Installing the Neutral Safety Switch
Line up the switch keyways with the transmission selector shaft keyways
Turn the switch by hand to line up the marks
Install the two 8mm bolts into the switch
Slide the shifter control arm onto the transmission selector shaft
Fasten the 15mm nut onto the shaft
Connect the neutral safety switch electrical connector
With the vehicle on level ground, chock the wheels, and put the transmission in neutral. Before I replace this park neutral safety switch, also known as transmission range switch, I'm going to spray it with some brake parts cleaner because ours is very dirty and greasy and it'll help me see what's going on.
Disconnect the electrical connector from the switch by pressing in the lock tab and pulling the connector off. It's a little tricky with the 4-wheel drive, the front drive shaft here. I've got this unlocked. It's a little tight in there. I'm going to take a flat-bladed screwdriver and just help pry it off, just very gently until I get it free. There it goes. Okay. Place that aside.
I'm going to use a 15mm wrench and some groove jaw pliers to counterhold the arm. Okay. With that loosened, I’ll switch to a ratcheting wrench. Remove the nut. Then remove the arm. It's a little bit stuck. I'm going to use a flat-bladed screwdriver to pry it off. Okay. This arm is keyed, so it's only going to go on one way. We can place that aside for now.
There is a small mark on the neutral safety switch showing where neutral is. This is why we put the transmission in neutral before taking the lever off. If the lever moves while you're trying to remove it – I'm going to take a little brake parts cleaner and try to clean it off so you can see it better. It's real greasy, but we'll clean it off. If this shaft moves, you can take a 12mm wrench and move it back so the line lines up there. Just like that. That means the transmission is in neutral. I want to remove this switch with the transmission in neutral. Make sure that that line on the black part lines up with the line on the white part.
Now that we have this lined up, remove the 8mm bolts on either side. I want to make sure that these are going to come free using an 8mm wrench. They're free, so I'm going to switch to an 8mm socket and ratchet. With these loose, I'm just going to use my fingers to bring them out the rest of the way. I'm going to reach up, pull the switch off of the transmission selector shaft. If it's difficult to remove, use a large flat-bladed screwdriver or a small pry bar and gently pry it off working all the sides. You need to pry the park neutral safety switch until it becomes free from the transmission selector shaft.
I'm going to use a wire brush to knock off some of the corrosion. This will make installation of the new part easier. You can use brake parts cleaner to clean up any more of the grime.
When installing the new part, line up the keyways in the white plastic with the keyways in the transmission selector shaft. Make sure that this black line on the park neutral safety switch is lined up with the white line on the ring here. That means it's in neutral. This one we actually have to adjust a bit. Adjust it this way, and that's lined up right there, and now I can install the bolts.
Reinstall the 8mm bolts, getting them started by hand. I'll use my 8mm socket and ratchet. Get the other side down. Be careful while you're installing these to not rotate the switch. As I feel these get tight, I'm just going to stop.
We're going to install the shifter control arm. It is keyed to slide over this. You may need to move it a little bit to get it started. Then reinstall the nut using a 15mm ratcheting wrench. Tighten it down. I’ll counterhold the arm with my hand. Hold onto the lever with my hand and then give this a nice tug to tighten it. Reconnect the connector, and the job is complete.
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SWA41643
In Stock
Product Reviews
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4.60/ 5.010
10 reviews
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Neutral Safety Switch
Mark
November 21, 2017
This is a quality product. It was easily installed and resolved tightness in the shift column. Shipping was also fast.
Perfect fit
D
October 1, 2018
Ordered for my 2000 F -250 it was less than half of what all Auto parts stores wanted.
It fit perfect and I'm on the road again I've never had problem with anything purchased from hereWrite
Great price, works!
J
February 8, 2020
Great price, works- exact match (description useful- 11 pin vs other types).
It was great
C
August 2, 2020
I loved the help that you all help me with it was real east for me to get my part because of you all help
MICHAEL
September 3, 2021
truck is running good now
Right part but it gives me an engine code on 04 f250
Derek
November 25, 2021
It appears to be the right part but the check engine light came on for this part right after I installed it.
Robert
April 18, 2022
It worked as it should
Jim
November 5, 2022
Worked great
1998 Ford Expedition
Steven
April 10, 2024
I was having a problem with the shifter being very hard to move. I replaced this switch and now it works great!
Neutral safety switch
Charles
June 4, 2024
Fantastic value! This is not difficult, but the A1 videos help.
Customer Q&A
how does this switch unplug?May 25, 2017
Edgar J
10
This switch will have a tab on the top for the electrical harness to press and release the connector.
May 25, 2017
Alex P
10
Press the locking tabs on the wire plug as you pull it away from the old switch.a good spray of wd40 first helps.count the number of pins on plug to ensure you get the right switch. good luck Edgar.
May 26, 2017
Joseph S
I put a 2000 Ford transmission in a 97 Ford do you have a neutral safety switch to fit it that will my use my normal wires?October 28, 2021
Tim S
10
At this time we do not have an upgrade kit available for your vehicle.
October 29, 2021
Emma F
I have a Ford f250 5.4l 2002 Neutral Safety switch has 12 pin I only could find 11 pin?May 26, 2022
Remo Z
10
Currently, we do not carry this part for your vehicle. We're always updating our inventory so please check back soon!
May 26, 2022
Jessica D
Will this affect my reverse lights if they are not working ?November 20, 2022
Ollie B
10
There could be multiple reasons why you're having this particular problem. We suggest taking your vehicle to a nearby reputable shop to identify the cause. Once you know the cause, we'll be happy to see if we carry the parts and how-to videos needed for your repair.
November 21, 2022
Jessica D
Will this switch affect my reverse lights ?November 20, 2022
John D
10
Our parts are exact replacements for your vehicle's OEM parts. As long as your year, make, and model match up with our listing, these parts will directly fit and function like the originals.
November 21, 2022
T I
Will this switch affect my reverse lights?November 20, 2022
Ollie B
Does this switch operate the back up lights on the 7.3 Ford f-350 diesel ?November 28, 2022
Ollie B
10
Not sure. Think my back up lights still worked, but just wouldnt start without the switch. 78 Ford F-250
November 29, 2022
R A
10
No, it does not.
November 29, 2022
Andra M
Customer service
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