OEM 2003 Toyota Matrix Neutral Safety Switch

2003 Toyota Matrix Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to replace a Neutral Safety Switch on 2003 Toyota Matrix?

  A: The first step to replace the Transmission Position Switch/Sensor involves removing the battery and its carrier through bolting out 4 screws. The floor shift cable transmission control shift needs different tasks for removal: first remove the nut from the control shaft lever and second disconnect the control cable from the lever. When replacing the Transmission Position Switch/Sensor from Model A246E/U341F cut off the clip and disconnect the control cable from its bracket while Model U240E requires pushing the clip's claw to separate the control cable before removing the clip from the bracket. Installments start with the park/neutral position switch assembly removal that requires disconnection of the connector followed by nut removal and washer extraction, the control shaft lever removal, lock plate prying, manual valve shaft nut removal after which the switch can be extracted. The installation process for A246E park/neutral position switch assembly involves mounting the switch on manual valve shaft before fitting 2 bolts temporarily while placing a new lock plate followed by torquing the nut to 5.5 Nm (56 kgf-cm, 49 inch lbs.). First install the control shaft lever but turn it until it stops before turning it another 2 notches in the opposite direction. Next align the groove with the basic neutral mark, press the switch into position, then fasten its two bolts to 5.5 Nm (56 kgf-cm, 49 inch lbs.). Stake the nut with the lock plate using a screwdriver before installing the control shaft lever, washer, nut in sequence and tightening them to 12.5 Nm (127 kgf-cm, 9 ft. lbs.) before connecting the switch connector. The installation for U240E and U341F requires the same procedure using different torque recommendations for the lock plate nut at 6.9 Nm (70 kgf-cm, 61 inch lbs.) and for the bolts at 5.4 Nm (55 kgf-cm, 48 inch lbs.) with a control shaft lever assembly torque requirement of 12.7 Nm (130 kgf-cm, 9 ft. lbs.). Security measures require installing the control cable through the control shaft lever with the nut in place for A246E/U341F and attaching the control cable to the bracket through a clip for U240E. All installations need to ensure proper cable insertion during the process. The procedure concludes by installing the battery carrier using four bolts while tightening them to 13 Nm (132 kgf-cm, 10 ft. lbs.). Afterward, adjust the shift lever position, conduct an inspection of both the shift lever position and the park/neutral position switch assembly.