Car won't start in Park but will start in neutral

[desiallstar]

Hey guys,

I recently had the dreaded problem of my car not being able to start in park and can only start in neutral

I've called several dealerships with mixed opinions,

some have recommended and stated their standard procedure is to remove corrosion of the cable and pivot, ~$99-120 + tax
Others have said they change the entire switch assembly ~260 + tax (could probably get this done elsewhere cheaper)


Both individuals are pretty firm on their stance that they know what is wrong so that leaves me in the confused middle ground, I've read up a lot on here and it seems most people change their neutral safety switch but there was also the TSB: 01-08-40 that went through lubricating and removing corrosion.

Any suggestions ???


Also if anyone knows a good mazda mechanic in the hamilton area near the university that would be a bonus!

My Car: 2005 Mazda 3 2.3L

Thanks in advance for any assistance

[Slaved]

Did you mention the TSB to either of the dealerships?

[Johns 08 3 GT]

You can either clean or replace this part. B2YE-46-310. Its about $10 at the dealer.

http://parts.arlingtonmazda.com/product_images/u/041/093B0EA769C750BF547676137688BF82__82286_zoom.jpg

These cars rarely need the neutral switch.

[desiallstar]

You can either clean or replace this part. B2YE-46-310. Its about $10 at the dealer.

http://parts.arlingtonmazda.com/product_images/u/041/093B0EA769C750BF547676137688BF82__82286_zoom.jpg

These cars rarely need the neutral switch.

Thanks! I did not mention the TSB to the dealers after they made their diagnosis over the phone, can I mention the exact TSB to the dealer and have them repair it according to the old warranty standards, the warranty page says it should take 0.4 hours, and they were telling me 1 hour.

How much should I pay to clean/change the part out?

[desiallstar]

Thanks!

[Slaved]

You can try to ask them to do it based on what the warranty quotes but you are really at their discretion regarding how much of a work effort is required from their end.

[TheMAN]

read this
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?74230-CEL-P0138-and-car-not-starting&p=1151788&viewfull=1#post1151788
and DO mention the canadian tsb # so that they won't try to rape you for an unnecessary range switch replacement

[boo-ninja]

Same happened to the girlfriends car, cost $84 at the dealer. Although we never payed because they did the work without confirming it with us. So it would have cost $84

[smallfry]

I had this problem and thought I needed a new neutral safety switch. I brought it to Jimmy's at Street Performance and he told me the part just needed a cleaning, not a replacement. Its been two weeks and I've had no problem at all starting the car in P

[jaynsue13]

I have that same problem right now. It just started a week ago

[kmvanr]

Having the same issues here..

My lever, which is described here as part # B2YE-46-310 is pretty rusted up.. I've called the dealers around here (Ottawa) and nobody seems to be able to find the part by # or description on their system. I'm going to try and clean it up, but as I said.. its pretty badly rusted, as was my transmission drain pan when I got the car and have since replaced.

Only online stuff I can find is priced OK, but with $30+ of shipping (from USA).. which in my opinion is pretty unreasonable for a tiny piece of metal.

I want to try this before I order a neutral safety switch I've sourced it for around $50 shipping.

I'm going to head to the wrecker and see if I can find a decent looking one to pull off one of their cars. Since its basically a $5 part, I'd prefer to just buy a new one..since the dealers can't seem to find their own parts on their computers..looks like GTA dealers are selling them, can anyone here sell me one or hook me up?

2007 Mazda 3 5 door 2.3L auto.

[zoomzoomtech]

a temporary fix for the problem without cleaning... spray the trans pivot point on the front of the trans with penetrating fluid and shift it into all the gears vigorously then reapply penetrating fluid do it again... most cases will free it up and the sensor will read in park again... if not remove rust/corrosion from back of the pivot plate and lubricate... or pay the mazda dealer to do it for you... cuz techs need to make a living too...:)

[kmvanr]

a temporary fix for the problem without cleaning... spray the trans pivot point on the front of the trans with penetrating fluid and shift it into all the gears vigorously then reapply penetrating fluid do it again... most cases will free it up and the sensor will read in park again... if not remove rust/corrosion from back of the pivot plate and lubricate... or pay the mazda dealer to do it for you...[\quote]

Cool thanks. Does the actual electronic part the pivot is near (neutral safety switch) have a magnetic sensor or something? Whats the actual mechanism and reason for the failure? I took a quick look at it last night, but .. it can wait until next week.

[quote] cuz techs need to make a living too...:)
For sure!

[Johns 08 3 GT]

You mean to tell me that the guys in the parts department cant order a part when they are given the number? :bang

Any dealer can order that in. Walk into the parts department with your phone, show them this thread and pic and tell them to get to work. Any good Mazda dealer will keep this in stock.

Also the junk yard might be a waste of your time as they are probably in the same rusted state. Best to clean yours up if the dealers up there are that dumb.

[kmvanr]

You mean to tell me that the guys in the parts department cant order a part when they are given the number? :bang

Any dealer can order that in. Walk into the parts department with your phone, show them this thread and pic and tell them to get to work. Any good Mazda dealer will keep this in stock.

Also the junk yard might be a waste of your time as they are probably in the same rusted state. Best to clean yours up if the dealers up there are that dumb.

Had the same issue trying to get the transmission pan too.. and even oil filters.
Never had this issue with Ford/GM.

Not like I'm the only Mazda 3 in town, haha..

[zoomzoomtech]

[QUOTE=zoomzoomtech;1221843]a temporary fix for the problem without cleaning... spray the trans pivot point on the front of the trans with penetrating fluid and shift it into all the gears vigorously then reapply penetrating fluid do it again... most cases will free it up and the sensor will read in park again... if not remove rust/corrosion from back of the pivot plate and lubricate... or pay the mazda dealer to do it for you...[\quote]

Cool thanks. Does the actual electronic part the pivot is near (neutral safety switch) have a magnetic sensor or something? Whats the actual mechanism and reason for the failure? I took a quick look at it last night, but .. it can wait until next week.


For sure!

it is a magnetic pickup in the shift selector... but the pivot point does not swing quite far enough to trip a voltage change so the sensor knows its in park... once lubricated and cleaned it moves more freely and seems to work...