Neutral Safety Switch

[BltByKrmn]

2014 SR5P 4x4 with only 34k miles.

Over the last year or so we've had an intermittent 4lo blinking light when the truck was in 2wd. The gear shift lever had also become very stiff, kind of like when you park on a hill without using the ebrake properly. No CEL, no traction lights.

Then the other day we get a CEL with TRAC OFF coupled with the extremely stiff gear lever and trouble going back and forth to 4hi and 2 hi. Cycle on/off and 4/2 a few times, lights don't turn off.

Since my wife was driving it, I told her to take it to the dealer.

Just heard from the dealer our neutral safety switch is bad and it's $825 + tax. Our bumper to bumper warranty obviously expired because of time but this isn't covered in the drive train warranty.

Has anyone else run into problems with the neutral safety switch? I find it completely unacceptable that this part has failed after only 4 years and 34k miles.

 

[JerseyMike]

I've had issues with mine sticking and getting the CEL/throwing the P0705 code from time to time. It seems the transmission range sensor (NSS) is on the outside of the trans and can corrode. I've been shifting thru the P --> D cycle while stopped until the "stiff" feeling goes away. Usually the CEL and TRAC OFF lights turn off after I drive it for a bit and turn the truck off. If you search P0705 and transmission range sensor there are a few other threads about it.

 

[BltByKrmn]

I've had issues with mine sticking and getting the CEL/throwing the P0705 code from time to time. It seems the transmission range sensor (NSS) is on the outside of the trans and can corrode. I've been shifting thru the P --> D cycle while stopped until the "stiff" feeling goes away. Usually the CEL and TRAC OFF lights turn off after I drive it for a bit and turn the truck off. If you search P0705 and transmission range sensor there are a few other threads about it.

Thanks for the info.

Good news is Toyota corporate has agreed to cover the part and labor.

 

[4runnoir]

Thanks for the info.

Good news is Toyota corporate has agreed to cover the part and labor.

How did you get them to cover that? Did the dealer communicate with them or did you have to call yourself? I am having the same issue with mine, and it is right in that window where the 3/36k has expired, but the powertrain would still apply. Truck is at the dealership now and I am curious as to what they will say. I guess living in the NE this part is exposed to the elements underneath the car. No wonder is starts to corrode. From what I have read elsewhere it is a real pain in the ass to get switch off of its little rectangular pole. Hope it will be covered so I don't have to attempt it myself.

 

[BltByKrmn]

How did you get them to cover that? Did the dealer communicate with them or did you have to call yourself? I am having the same issue with mine, and it is right in that window where the 3/36k has expired, but the powertrain would still apply. Truck is at the dealership now and I am curious as to what they will say. I guess living in the NE this part is exposed to the elements underneath the car. No wonder is starts to corrode. From what I have read elsewhere it is a real pain in the ass to get switch off of its little rectangular pole. Hope it will be covered so I don't have to attempt it myself.

I asked the dealer to cover it, they said no. I then asked to speak with the regional service manager, they said that person doesn't exist but I could call Toyota corporate.

Called Toyota directly and within 5 minutes of speaking with me and then confirming the issue with the dealer, they approved coverage. If you have a relationship with your dealer or have owned a bunch of Toyota's, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[rjfowler]

I asked the dealer to cover it, they said no. I then asked to speak with the regional service manager, they said that person doesn't exist but I could call Toyota corporate.

Called Toyota directly and within 5 minutes of speaking with me and then confirming the issue with the dealer, they approved coverage. If you have a relationship with your dealer or have owned a bunch of Toyota's, you shouldn't have any problems.

Good to hear. My switch went bad years ago but the problem was intermittent so I didn't do anything about it until recently when the truck was started going between neutral and drive on its own on the highway. The dealer wanted around $1000 to replace it. I bought the part online from a different dealer for $200 and had a local shop install it for about $100.

 

[4runnoir]

Diagnosed as a bad NSS, as expected. Well the dealer told me it wasn't covered and that it would be ~$500 all-in to put a new one on. I called corporate and they called the dealership. Toyota Corporate deferred to the dealership and agreed that it was not covered under the powertrain warranty because it is categorized as an electrical component that is bolted on to the tran. What a joke. Can't say I'm surprised, though. The powertrain warranty must get very little to no use if something like this isn't covered. Blowing a head gasket or having to replace a transmission probably doesn't happen very often in the first 50k. I really don't feel like screwing with it to save an extra $250 so I'm just going to have them do it. Disappointed though. You gave me hope, fellow owners!

 

[prasta]

Good to hear. My switch went bad years ago but the problem was intermittent so I didn't do anything about it until recently when the truck was started going between neutral and drive on its own on the highway. The dealer wanted around $1000 to replace it. I bought the part online from a different dealer for $200 and had a local shop install it for about $100.

Do you have a part no on that? Are there other related parts, or I can get away with just buying the switch by itself?

Would this be it? 84540-60050 Range Safety Sensor.

https://parts.toyotaofdallas.com/oe...1bm5lciZ5PTIwMTMmdD10cmFpbCZlPTQtMGwtdjYtZ2Fz

 

[Dave2]

Nuetral switch

Hi, I am having this issue as well I think. The shifter seems to bind some, CEL and trac lights on. Where is this switch located and is it a serious pita to install?

 

[Jimboat]

Good news is Toyota corporate has agreed to cover the part and labor.

Called Toyota directly and within 5 minutes of speaking with me and then confirming the issue with the dealer, they approved coverage.

Who (or what dept?) did you call at Toyota to get that covered? I have same problem!

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Toyota Customer Relations

800-331-4331

 

[rehgarde]

I just had the same issue with my '16 with 40,000 miles. Started with intermittent 4Lo blinking, then progressed to intermittent CEL/TRAC OFF/4 Lo lights being on. Then steadily became more common. Finally, I lost D when putting in my boat, just barely got the trailer pulled out using lower gear. As soon as I dropped the trailer, I got D back.
NSS was replaced for $550, not covered by the powertrain warranty because it "is attached to, but not part of, the transmission"

I live in New England, so corrosion from road salt is always an issue, but this seems a little too soon to have this issue. I dd not try and call Toyota corporate.

Brandon

 

[skier686]

I have a 2017 with 23k. Bought it certified 3 months ago. Had the 4lo randomly blinking every week or so. Shifter would be stiff moving from Park to Reverse. Finally threw a CEL and Trac Light. Dropped it today at the dealer and they called to confirm it was the NSS. Luckily, its covered under my 1 year warranty.

 

[Bossman]

I recently ran into this very same issue on my 2011 Limited with 169,000 km.

Three dash warning lights activated while driving - the Check Engine light was on; the Slip Indicator was on; and the 4-LO Lowspeed 4WD Indicator was flashing.

Using my OBD II Code Reader, the Error Code P0705 - Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDL Input) came up.

I can't say for certain that I truly noticed that moving the gear shifter was becoming all that difficult over time.

Based on my research, I anticipated that the A/T Gear Position Sensor aka the Neutral Safety Switch (NSS) Assembly had failed.

Toyota Canada Part number for the NSS is 84540-35060.

My independent mechanic confirmed the switch failure, and after waiting several days for the local Toyota dealership to get this part in, the old switch was removed (not easily removed due to the corrosion) and the new switch was installed.

My mechanic showed me the inside of the old switch, and the internal corrosion that was on the internal contacts.

The new switch cost $263.00 CAN.

With the new switch, moving the gear shifter does seem a bit smoother

 

[27Oakland]

Have a 2016 4R with 53,000 mile and the SNS went . All the check engine, TRAC light, and 4LO flashing were showing. Hard to put into gear, once into D nothing, engine merely revved, and took several minutes to ultimately engage. Finally, on way to dealer, at 45 miles an hour, I was getting 3000 rpms, as would not kick into a higher gear. On the advice of dealer, I called corporate. Gave them all the details, was put on hold for 35 minutes, so they could kick it to a supervisor, but with no decision. To call me back. I see it as faulty engineering, as the reason for the problems is excessive corrosion. I find that hard to stomach, particularly when the dealer told that with an excessive corroded part, the removal could damage the transmission and thus cost thousands. I do not intend to let this go, particularly when I read that others have had satisfaction in getting this reimbursed.

 

[rsclancy]

Same here

I've had issues with mine sticking and getting the CEL/throwing the P0705 code from time to time. It seems the transmission range sensor (NSS) is on the outside of the trans and can corrode. I've been shifting thru the P --> D cycle while stopped until the "stiff" feeling goes away. Usually the CEL and TRAC OFF lights turn off after I drive it for a bit and turn the truck off. If you search P0705 and transmission range sensor there are a few other threads about it.

My 2010 just started this nonsense 6 months ago. I cleared the codes and had some peace for a bit- but the problem returned.

 

[bobdacat]

My 2013 trail had that issue a few years back. Intermittent, got it to dealer with cel on, i got lucky they took a look at NSS and cleaned it and recoated with dielectric grease. Best of all no charge, wasnt under warranty they say, but still no charge.

 

[Zhaicne]

So last month my 4Runner had hard shifting using the gear selector over a period of time. It was barely noticeable. While my wife was driving, she said it was hard to use the pedals and her check engine and TRAC light came on. She drove straight to Toyota who later confirmed it was the transmission switch. The advisor said he has seen about 12 of these issues the past year and considering how many 4Runners are out there, it's pretty rare for it to happen. I guess we just got lucky. :tsk: Out the door price was $626. Everything feels smooth now and runs well.

 

[Jeremy556]

That part is $150 MSRP and should take less than 15 minutes to replace. It has 1 wire harness, 1 bolt, and 1 clip, all easily reached on the side of the transmission.

 

[kenwilliams0803]

That part is $150 MSRP and should take less than 15 minutes to replace. It has 1 wire harness, 1 bolt, and 1 clip, all easily reached on the side of the transmission.

Until it gets bonded to the shaft. Mine was like a 6 hour operation.