PRNDL (Neutral Safety Switch) 97-00 Grand Prix

[paulp64131]

The PRNDL Switch is located On the Transmission right near where it meets the engine. You will see the arm and shift cable right on top of it when you look below the Master cylinder.

Please make sure that you have troubleshot the starting circuit and are not getting any voltage on purple wire of Starter when someone turns ignition to start. If you get voltage, your problem is not this switch or the ignition switch.


Tools Needed:

1 Screwdriver
13mm Socket
15mm Socket
Ratchet

1. Disconnect Negative Battery Cable.
2. Engage Parking Brake and make sure to put blocks behind wheels.
3. Turn Key to on and shift to Neutral.
4. Remove the Engine cover, by removing the Oil Filler Neck and lifting up and out. (Note:replace the filler cap to keep from dropping stuff into engine).
5. Remove the air ducting that goes to air cleaner, this will give you better access.
6. Unhook the cable going to the selector arm. Squirt a little wd-40 on connection and us a screw screwdriver to disconnect it from the little ball-like thing it is holding on too. It will come off pretty easily.
7. Unhook the 2 electrical connectors from the PRNDL switch. (they have plastic tabs to hold them in place.
8. Remove bolt from arm of selector and remove arm. (Note: Its hard to keep it from moving out of Neutral, but just remember if you push the arm all the way forward, you will be in Park. pulling back towards you 2 clicks will be neutral. Once you have the bolt loose, make sure it is back at neutral (THIS IS IMPORTANT).
9. Remove the 2 13mm bolts from the switch and lift switch off by wiggling a little.


Reinstalling-
1. The new switch should have a pin in it that keeps the switch set to neutral. (Mine did not) However, there is a very small bump on the switch that looks like it lined up with Neutral (I am not talking about the two indentations on the part that goes around the shaft (See photo below). Slide the switch on to the shaft carefully.

Basically, I just was careful not to move the switch. If it was moved, you will need an alignment tool ($150) which is crazy . I am sure that you can adjust it without the tool. Just check photo to compare and be careful not to turn it.

2. Install the bolts into switch and torq down to 18 ft/lb. Careful not to tight too tight though.
3.Install the arm and nut and tighten down to 15lb.
4.Put the wire connectors back on the switch.
5.Put the cable back on the arm.

Next, shift car back to park and turn key off. Reconnect negative battery cable. Now Check that the vehicle starts in park and neutral. (If it does not you may need to adjust the switch).

Once finished, reassemble air breather and engine cover.

[tblake]

Nice write-up!

Here's basic step-by step instructions on how to adjust the PRNDL switch.

-Start with the car off and set the parking brake
-Place the car in Neutral
-Find the PRNDL switch and loosen (dont remove) the two bolts holding it to the trans
-Have an assistant jump in the car and attempt to start it
-if no start have the assistant hold the key in the start position
-you go grasp the PRNDL switch and adjust it one way or another untill the car starts
-Tighten the bolts down
-Attempt to start the car in both Park and Neutral, and verify your backup lights function
-repeat process untill everything works, test drive.