Know Everything About Backup & Neutral Safety Switch

The backup light switch or reverse light switch is the electronic switch on a vehicle that is responsible for activating the vehicle's reverse lights. The switches work by activating the lights when the transmission is put into reverse gear. 

The neutral safety switch is a safety device that only allows you to start your engine when the automatic transmission is in either park or neutral.

Want to know the important features of car backup & neutral safety switch? In that case, all you have to do is keep on reading further: 

• The neutral safety switch is usually mounted to one side of the shift lever. It only allows you to start the engine when the automatic transmission is in either park or neutral. 
• It prevents the car from starting while in gear. It communicates with the car and body computers about gear positioning. 
• The backup light switch or reverse light switch is an electronic switch. The switches work by activating the lights when the transmission is put into reverse gear. 
• The backup light switch may also activate the backup alarm. Backup lights are an important safety feature. 
• The rear camera is decked in certain current vehicles, and when reverse gear is engaged, it displays an actual image of the rear side to the driver on the dashboard video screen.

Have a look at the working of car backup & neutral switch:

The backup light switch or reverse light switch is the electronic switch on a vehicle that activates the vehicle's reverse lights. The switches work by activating the lights when the transmission is put into reverse gear. These backup light switches are fitted on the gearbox when reverse gear is applied, the inside mechanism pushes a lever on the switch making the circuit complete and thus activating the backup light. 

The neutral switch receives a constant power source when the key is in the ON position. When the key is cranked to the start position, it sends that current down a pathway to the starter motor. This pathway is only available, however, if the gear is in neutral or park. Otherwise, the pathway is open, and no current can pass. In an automatic transmission the switch is connected to the shifting linkage and it is mounted to the side of the transmission. The switch is responsible for sending the current according to the changing conditions.

Have a look at the symptoms of faulty Backup Light Switch:

1. Reverse lights function intermittently

The backup light switch may be malfunctioning if the reverse lights are intermittently working. If the contacts in the switch are worn or broken, the lights may turn on and off at random times. The reverse lights may be ON sometimes or they may flicker on and off quickly or unpredictably.

2. The reverse lights do not turn on at all.

The most common symptom that there is a failure in the backup switch is that the reverse lights do not turn on at all. Lights are directly controlled by the backup light switch, so if there is a failure, then the lights will cease to function. This means the vehicle will have no visual cue to alert pedestrians and other drivers on the road that it is in reverse, which is dangerous.

3. The reverse lights are always on.

Reverse lights that are always on are another sign of a faulty backup light switch. If the switch shorts internally, the lights may remain on indefinitely. This will not only lead the car to appear to be in backward gear when it is not, but it will also cause the bulbs to burn out much more quickly than they would otherwise.

Symptoms of defective Neutral Safety Switch:

1. The engine will not start in park gear, but it will start in neutral

The starter should engage when the driver turns the ignition switch and the automatic gearbox is in the park gear or the manual transmission is in neutral and the clutch pedal is pressed. If they turn the key under these circumstances and the vehicle does not start, it could be due to a defective neutral safety switch or clutch pedal inside the transmission. Because this symptom could be caused by a faulty battery, starter, or other components, a professional mechanic will have to check this issue.

2. The engine will not start in neutral, but it will start in the park gear

It's usually because of a defective neutral safety switch when the car cranks over when the transmission is in the park but not neutral. The switch is experiencing an internal component failure or is engaging in one gear but not the other in this scenario. It could also be the result of an electrical failure or a faulty switch that has to be changed. Make sure to get this issue repaired as soon as possible.

3. Engine cranks in any gear

If your car engine cranks even when it is already running and the transmission is in gear is a sign of a neutral safety switch that has a short circuit internally. When this happens, it's a severe safety danger because it's as if your car doesn't have a neutral safety switch installed. So if this is the case, replace your safety switch as soon as possible.

4. Regardless of transmission gear, the engine does not crank at all.

If the engine won't start at all, it's likely that the neutral safety switch is having electrical problems. The neutral safety switch is not supplying power to the starting relay in this scenario. The starter motor is unable to start the engine as a result of this. This indication shows that the neutral safety switch has a completely open electrical circuit, which could be caused by a defective relay, blown fuse, or an electrical problem with the switch itself. The switch will need to be replaced if the problem is with it.

Are you thinking of repairing your Backup & Neutral Safety Switch on your own? Then there is one thing which you must have, that is the right tools needed for repairing your Backup & Neutral Safety Switch. It is essential to make sure that you are outfitted with the right tools to get the work done properly. Have a look at some tools which you might need to get started with your repair work:

• Plier
• Screwdriver
• Wrench

For vehicle owners, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability, and trust. Some leading car parts brands are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related to quality. So have a look at some top brands for Backup & Neutral Safety Switch.

• Blue Streak (Hygrade Motor) Backup & Neutral Safety Switch
• Beck/Arnley Backup & Neutral Safety Switch
• Standard/T-Series Backup & Neutral Safety Switch
• Crown Automotive Jeep Replacement Backup & Neutral Safety Switch
• Dorman/Techoice Backup & Neutral Safety Switch
• Auto 7 Backup & Neutral Safety Switch

It is very important to arm yourself with information before you shop for any auto parts. We are here to help you dive deep into the names of the Backup & Neutral Safety Switch related parts.

• Neutral Safety Switch Linkage
• Wire Harness
• Connector
• Shifter Assembly
• Gearbox
• Car Fuse Box
• Reverse Lights
• Hardware

Backup & Neutral Safety Switch replacement costs can differ widely depending on the application, the brand of the Backup & Neutral Safety Switch as well as who does the work. All you have to do is to replace your faulty Backup & Neutral Safety Switch with us online and then you can leave your car to the mechanic and pick it up a few days later. Just be sure that the car mechanic is highly skilled and has an excellent reputation. Sometimes the additional service level might cost you more than what you have expected. We also recommend you to take pictures of your car before you leave it with them so that you are sure that later on it is returned to you in an unharmed condition. If you want to replace your backup & neutral safety switch, then it will range between $4 to $714. For replacing the backup and neutral safety switch, labor would cost about $80 to $130, depending on the type of vehicle. To remove the backup and neutral safety switch other related parts have to be removed first which may take about 1 to 2 hours depending on the type of vehicle.

Keen to know about the procedure of changing the Backup & Neutral Safety Switch? Well, we have simplified the entire procedure for you: 

Steps of changing a bad backup light switch

Step 1

The first step is to locate the faulty backup light switch.

Step 2

Remove the battery. A box-end wrench should be used to disconnect the terminals connected to the battery. 

Step 3

A socket wrench should then be used to remove the nuts or bolts holding down the battery tray and remove the tray.

Step 4

After that, the air filter box should be removed.  Use either pliers or a screwdriver to remove the clamp and disconnect the pipe from the box. 

Step 5

Try to locate the backup light switch on the top side and the bottom side of the transmission. 

Step 6

Then start removing your backup light switch. You might need gloves, an open-ended wrench, and a replacement backup light switch for this procedure. 

Step 7

Disconnect the electrical connector. The tab on one side of the connector should be squeezed and then disconnect the switch from the wiring harness.

Step 8

Once the switch is removed, it should be replaced with a new switch and carefully tighten the switch back into the transmission.

Step 9

The switch should then be reconnected to the wiring harness. The disconnected parts should be reinstalled and make sure to hand tighten the bolts. The vehicle should be lowered down and reinstall the air box, making sure to reconnect the intake hose and replace the clamp.

Here are the steps for replacing the Neutral Safety Switch:

Step 1

Place your vehicle on a level, firm surface. Set the emergency brake and set the gearshift lever to "P" Park. Pull-on the hood latch.

Step 2

Raise the vehicle's front end. To lift the front of the vehicle, use car ramps or a floor jack. If a floor jack is used, jack stands must be employed to secure the raised car. You should be able to replace the switch from the top, if your vehicle is front-wheel drive. It will not be necessary to raise the car.

Step 3

Disconnect the negative battery cable by opening the hood. Make sure the battery cable end is far enough away from the battery connector to avoid arching.

Step 4

Locate the neutral safety switch from underneath a rear-wheel-drive car or under the hood of a front-wheel-drive vehicle. The switch on certain automobiles is covered by a plastic cover. Two or three 10mm or 12mm bolts secure the neutral safety switch to the transmission (or transaxle). A single electrical connector is hooked into the shifter cable/linkage, which is attached to the switch.

Step 5

Remove the switch's electrical connector. Because electrical connectors are made of plastic and can break over time, be careful not to break them when unplugging them from the switch.

Step 6

Remove the shifter linkage from the transmission's extruding pin and the neutral safety switch. A 12mm nut or bolt is usually used to secure the linkage.

Step 7

Remove the two 10 MM bolts that connect the switch to the transmission by loosening them. Remove the neutral safety switch from the circuit. IMPORTANT: Before removing the previous neutral safety switch, make a note of the slot so you can replace it in the same manner.

Step 8

Install the new Neutral Safety Switch in reverse order.