Hey,

I have a 2002 A4 that from time to time would not start. I mean nothing, no clicking, no nothing. I cleaned the grounds, replaced the battery, replaced the VATS relay, and just reccently did the VATS bypass with a resistor. When the car would not start, sometimes I could play with the key and it would start. A few times I had to play with the shifter (in and out of gear) to get it to start. Since I did the VATS bypass I have had the car not start on me twice. Both times I had to play with the shifter to get it to start. I believe the neutral safety switch on the auto transmission is the problem. I have ordered a new one just to be safe but I read that it could just be misaligned. So on to my question.......

How do you adjust the neutral safety switch????????????????

Any pictures would be great too. I am a man so therefore I am a visual creator!

 

ttt

 

Park/Neutral Position Switch Adjustment
Adjustment Procedure
Tools Required
J 41364-A Park/Neutral Position Switch Aligner





Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
Disconnect the shift control cable from the range selector lever.



Using a wrench on the range selector lever (in order to keep the shaft from turning), remove the range selector (shift) lever nut.
Remove the range selector (shift) lever.
Ensure that the transmission is still in neutral.



Loosen the park/neutral position switch mounting bolts.
Install the J 41364-A park/neutral position switch aligner to the park/neutral position switch.
Align the two lower slots on the switch (2) with the two lower tabs on the J 41364-A park/neutral position switch aligner.
Rotate the tool until the upper pin on the tool is lined up with the slot on the top of the switch (1).
Check that the transmission is still in NEUTRAL.




Notice
Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.


Install the park/neutral position switch mounting bolts. Tighten
Tighten the park/neutral position switch mounting bolts to 27 N·m (20 lb ft).

Remove the J 41364-A park/neutral position switch aligner from the switch.



Install the range selector (shift) lever.
Install the range selector (shift) lever nut. Tighten
Tighten the range selector (shift) lever nut (using a wrench to hold the lever in place), to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).





Connect the shift control cable to the range selector lever.
Lower the vehicle.

 

 

thanks alot. I will try this out this weekend.

 

Is the switch normally open or closed? Can't you just bypass the thing by either shorting it closed or opening it? I mean, is it essential and wouldn't it just be easier to deal with the wires leading into the switch?

Padrino

 

This does not have to be a guessing game. Use the schematics and a DMM to isolate the problem.

 

Bypassing the neutral safety switch thereby allowing the car to be started in ANY gear is a really, really bad idea.

 

That Switch also does a lot more than enable the starter!