I have a Mazda 3 2005 4 dr sedan.

Since yesterday I have only been able to start my car (usually) in neutral. I called my auto club yesterday since I could not start my car. The mechanic tried giving me a jump but that did not work.

When I tried to start the car in Park it would not do anything, no click. so the mechanic had me put the car in neutral so he could tow it but then i decided to try to start it in neutral and it worked.

The mechanic mentioned the "neutral safety switch" is probably bad. Someone at work mentioned I should find out if this switch is internal or external, because if its internal then probably take it to a dealer to fix.

some questions:
* has anyone had this issue on here?
* what did it cost to get it fixed?
* does anyone know the answer to the internal or external question above?

thanks

MC

 

There is no such thing as a neutral safety switch for automatics, there is only a transmission range sensor, and yours is malfunctioning, its external but unless you know what your looking at and what to test and what the ranges are then its off to the dealer.

 

It also could just be the microswitch for "P" on the gear selector itself broken and not telling the computer the car is in park.

 

yea, either way its a dealer fix