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Neutral safety switch help

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Gearssg, Aug 2, 2025.

  1. Aug 2, 2025 at 12:55 PM
    #1
    Gearssg

    Gearssg [OP] New Member

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    Long story short.. went through a pretty big puddle, truck stalled, won't start in park or shift into 4th.

    Im guessing neutral safety switch. Has anyone had experience with this? From what I've seen its pretty difficult to swap, and you can break the shaft which im guessing leads to needing a new tranny?

    Any advice would be appreciated.
     
  2. Aug 2, 2025 at 1:21 PM
    #2
    shifty`

    shifty` Earth acid cleanses me, cleanses me clean

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    Grab a copy of the factory service manual, it gives pretty good instructions on replacement.

    Download link should be pretty clear near the top of this thread: https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

    I'd grab the 2003 manual, it'll probably be closest to your truck. It'll also provide guidance on troubleshooting

    If the switch didn't move, I don't understand how it could produce this, something would've had to have smacked it, or smacked a cable. Did you physically hit anything when going thru that puddle? Have ou checked wiring?
     
  3. Aug 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
    #3
    Gearssg

    Gearssg [OP] New Member

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    I dont think I physically hit anything. I haven't checked the wires, I just kind of assumed given the symptoms. Now that I think about it I see what you mean though. My truck is throwing a code for a MAF, but I dont see that being the issue either.
     
  4. Aug 2, 2025 at 7:09 PM
    #4
    shifty`

    shifty` Earth acid cleanses me, cleanses me clean

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    Which code?
     
  5. Aug 3, 2025 at 6:29 AM
    #5
    Gearssg

    Gearssg [OP] New Member

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    I dont remember, and i didn't think to write it down. I crawled up under there, and the downstream o2 sensors wiring is ripped in half. I dont know if that would cause a no start in park though...
     
  6. Aug 3, 2025 at 8:08 AM
    #6
    shifty`

    shifty` Earth acid cleanses me, cleanses me clean

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    Well, that tells you something: Clearly something ripped thru stuff, which means something was protruding enough to tear shit up.

    I recommend to scan for codes again. See what all is in there. Let us know.

    Also, you really need to check two things:
    • Make sure the linkage where the shift cable meets your transmission isn't bent or moved - sometimes you can see the void/footprint of where something has been bolted on the body of the transmission, indicating it moved. It's possible the park/neutral safety switch ("PNSS") is working as intended, but you've f'ed up the actual gear you're in by having something whack the shift cable bracket and/or bent its lever/assembly
    • Do the same for the PNSS, make sure it hasn't clearly shifted.
    The FSM (factory service manual) is extremely helpful for testing/setting up the PNSS and may lso discuss the linkage, I can't recall. Again, you should download the 2003 version, since it uses the same transmission as your '04. In '05 the Tundra got upgraded to the 5spd trans.
     
  7. Aug 3, 2025 at 8:32 AM
    #7
    Gearssg

    Gearssg [OP] New Member

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    I'll definitely do that and post the codes i get tomorrow. I tried to look at the switch itself, it didn't look like it moved, but there's an oil cooler pipe or something in the way so I cant see it all. Ill definitely take your advice and update this tomorrow.
     

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