Neutral Safety Switch Location 2005 Tacoma

I haven't been on here for quite a while, I guess about 3 yrs, but since then they replaced my frame, brake lines, etc etc all for free. Now I have a problem. The auto trans has been a little stiff off and on lately when shifting from park to drive and back. The other day I was out running errands and when I got in, turned the key it wouldn't start. Nothing. I knew it wasn't the battery. Check engine light came on. Finally after moving the shift lever around a bit, it started. A mechanic friend told me it might be the NSS. I saw a write-up on this forum for changing one out, but it was on a Camry. Its been raining like hell here lately and I haven't had a chance to crawl under the truck to locate this thing. I would greatly appreciate it if someone could steer me in the right direction. Thanks, Jack

 

Passenger side of trans. You'll see the 2 hard lines coming out of trans going to radiator nss is to the rear of those lines.

 

Thank you sir, Beerline! Found it right away, just above tranny pan on passenger side. Now, these things are pretty expensive. (>$200.00) Anyone use an aftermarket switch for about 1/4 the price of an oem one? The cheap ones are guaranteed for a year.

 

I had a similar problem with stiffness in shifting. Mine was solved by lubricating the switch. Some people have had theirs be a problem with the actual shifter which I believe there is a post about taking the shifter apart. You could look at these issues first before replacement.

 

I noticed on older vehicles that the SN switches were made so you could take them apart and clean them up, but mine looks like its not made that way.

 

I just shot lubricant at switch trying to get behind it where it attaches to a shift rod and that loosen it up. Switch doesn't come apart as far as I know. What people are taking apart is the shifter in the vehicle because some have an issue with the shifter sliding smoothly. Do a search I remember a post about a guy who took apart the shifter and he discussed the things he did. But as far as the Nss switch shoot lubricant all over it that's what made mine slide like silk. Good luck

 

Thanks, Beerline. I'll give it a try and let you know how it turns out.

 

Beerline, I sprayed some PB blaster around the switch and that did the trick. Check engine light also went away. Many thanks, my friend!!

 

Glad it worked for you have a good one

 

Did you just spray the outside of it or actually take it apart to spray?

 

Sorry. Just re-read. I will spray the outside to see if that does the trick. Thanks!

 

Did it work? Just spray the outside of the nss with pb blaster? That seems odd.......

 

I just tried the above recommendation (Spraying the Neutral Safety Switch) tonight but have not driven it yet. I am going to let it soak all night and see what happens tomorrow.

 

Gotcha. So what I did, and it seems to have worked, i loosened the small mounting bolt and simply repositioned the nss... After doing that, my truck seems fine again.... Im going to monitor it closely in the coming weeks and make sure it operates as intended. Best of luck on your solution, i hope it works. If not, heres a another idea.

 

Awesome. So you just loosened up the 10mm bolt and kind moved it around and then tightened it back up? I wonder if I could spray anything in there when I had it loose?

 

Yes. The way mine sat was almost all the way to the rear ( its position is adjustable, similar to an alternator. ) i simply loosed the 10mm and pushed it the rest of the way so it sits as far COUNTER clockwise as possible. I cant guarantee its a tried and true fix, but as far as today it seems to have worked. My thought process is that by repostioning, i smply moced the contact point inside to a more condusive spot to register the selected gear. I cant speak on spraying back there, as this is my first run in with a NSS, so I'm not completely sure whats back there.

 

It makes sense thinking about it to get the sensors/terminals good contact again. I am definitely trying it. At the end of the day I wi replacd the switch because I can get an aftermarket one for less than $50.

One more question. How long ago did you do this fix and its still working?

 

I literally just did tbis 6 hours ago today...... As of today it has fixed the issue, but again, im going to monitor closely in the upcomings weeks.

 

The headlight lamps you got on your Tacoma are sweet. Where did you get those? I have found a couple on EBay and Amazon...but surious where you got yours?

 

Tacomabeast.com . use promo code exclusive for 100 off. Pricey, but def worth it