1st & 2nd Generation (19831986 & 1987-1991)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1983-1986 & 1987-1991.
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Was having problems w/my 91 Camry w/3sfe and Automatic tx. Typical problem with the neutral start switch that required a jiggle of the shifter to find the sweet spot so the car would turn over. It finally got bad enough that I could not start the car, so I removed the NSS (a real pita) before I went to the salvage yard for another one. Since it was already broken, I decided to open it up. Turned out it was caked with oil/grease. After a good cleaning and a very light coat of di-electric grease I closed it up and it works great! Saved a few $$$
Steve B.
It was tough! After I removed the shift lever from the shaft there was a nut that had a retaining washer with bent over tangs that had to be removed. Then I just started working the switch back and forth. At first I thought I was pulling the shaft out of the tx. Use some WD 40 and instead of prying on one end with force, use 2 screw drivers to wiggle it back and forth until it slides off the shaft. It got a whole lot easier once I removed the igniter box and the tx dip stick. Once you have it off you will see about 6 screws to be removed. The top 2 by the electrical connector retain a metal strap that has 2 tangs the have to be unbent. Be gentle with them as it is easy to bust the little ear off of the switch body. Inside you will find a wiper arm with 2 small sections of brass and 2 small springs. Don't loose them. Mine was so gunked up the springs could no longer force the brass pieces out to make contact with the switch lands.
SteveB
Does the V6/Alltrac (A540E/H) auto have the same problem? My alltrac sometimes takes a few seconds in the 'start' position to start cranking the motor...
-Charlie
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2003 Impreza WRX Wagon 5spd - 2.2L stroker + other goodies
1989 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd - SV25/ST205 hybrid
1990 Camry 3S-GTE 5spd - parted out / junked
1990 Camry DX 3S-FE 5spd - The original white90dx; gone but not forgotten
White 90DX, how clean are your battery terminals?
SteveB
Pretty clean. Actually, once it starts cranking it spins pretty fast and starts right up.
I'm not sure if it is the neutral start switch or low voltage to the starter solenoid (though the neutral start switch can cause that too).
I was actually planning on wiring up a relay to get higher voltage on the starter solenoid (and reduce current through the rest of the starter signal wire), but this thread made me think of another possible fix.
-Charlie
__________________
2003 Impreza WRX Wagon 5spd - 2.2L stroker + other goodies
1989 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd - SV25/ST205 hybrid
1990 Camry 3S-GTE 5spd - parted out / junked
1990 Camry DX 3S-FE 5spd - The original white90dx; gone but not forgotten
I had the similar situation last summer. Despite bypassing the neutral start switch the problem still was there. I used 40 amp cubical shape (1 inch eachside) relay from the Autozone, $5.It sold as fog lights relay in the lamp/vehicle light section of the store.
I had the similar situation last summer. Despite bypassing the neutral start switch the problem still was there. I used 40 amp cubical shape (1 inch eachside) relay from the Autozone, $5.It sold as fog lights relay in the lamp/vehicle light section of the store.
Oh man... I was as Pepboys last night searching for relays in the electrical and wiring section. Ugh, why didn't I think about the lighting section? I bought a fog light relay to control an extra fan on my other Camry...
-Charlie
__________________
2003 Impreza WRX Wagon 5spd - 2.2L stroker + other goodies
1989 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd - SV25/ST205 hybrid
1990 Camry 3S-GTE 5spd - parted out / junked
1990 Camry DX 3S-FE 5spd - The original white90dx; gone but not forgotten
Well, I got it fixed...and it was the problem..no reverse lights, no dash light for gear selection...this car musta been in front end accident (it's a salvage title). I couldn't get the switch off without removing suspension part directly underneath...major PITA!!! one of the bolts was rusted and got stripped...even tried drilling it out, but couldnt...eventually had to dremel the bolt head off!
After all said and done, good write up above...inside of NSS was as nasty as noted above, but cleaned up easily and after some light sanding, the copper contacts were as good as new.
This should be a preventative item for all Gen 2 cars! The switch itself is sturdy and probably doesnt fail too often..but gets gunked up after so many years.
look straight down, left of the battery....there is a triangular switch, with a wire harness attached to the top of it, and the shift lever controlling the transmission gears bolted to the bottom it.
You will probably have to de-gunk the engine area with a strong hose, degreaser and a stiff wire brush to see it, it usually gets all black and dirty with grease!
Yes, I was reading the service manual, getting a clue on how to do this. Will just spraying and scrubbing it work? or do I still have to unbolt the whole thing?
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