Mounted on the AW4 shifter shaft. Fails causing no-start in Park, start in Neutral, or backup lights stuck on. Adjustable; replacement is straightforward.
The Neutral Safety Switch on the AW4 is a multi-function rotary switch mounted to the transmission shifter shaft on the driver side of the case. Beyond preventing start-in-gear, it tells the ECU/PCM which gear the selector is in (for shift control), drives the PRNDL dash indicator, and switches the backup lights. Symptoms of failure: no start in Park but starts in Neutral, no backup lights or backup lights always on, harsh shifts, PRNDL indicator stuck or wrong. Often the switch is out of adjustment - loosen the two retaining bolts, put the shifter in Neutral, align the flats on the switch shaft, retighten. If electrical contacts are burned, replace - Mopar 4221645 or Standard NS-49. The switch is exposed to road spray and dies of corrosion on northern XJs.
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| NSS Mopar | Mopar | ~$60 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.