Broken neutral safety switch shaft

[rollingblunder]

'97 V6 camry

I tried to remove the lever connecting the shift cable to the neutral safety switch but the nut holding it in place was so corroded it broke the end off the shaft instead. So now I can't put it back on, at least not the way toyota intended. My manual doesn't say where this shaft goes, or how to replace it. Is it just a free-spinning axle or does it have a function within the transmission? i.e. Is the NSS solely responsible for determining which gear is selected? If so, would it just be easier to bypass it with a DIY switch than repair it?

[JohnGD]

The rod controls the manual shift valve and goes inside the transmission. Was it snapped off only in the threaded portion? Does the lever part still work?

Maybe try to salvage it by tapping the end and put a smaller bolt in place of the nut - just to keep the lever from walking off. It will be difficult to drill and tap this thin rod however.

[rollingblunder]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

The rod controls the manual shift valve and goes inside the transmission. Was it snapped off only in the threaded portion? Does the lever part still work?

Maybe try to salvage it by tapping the end and put a smaller bolt in place of the nut - just to keep the lever from walking off. It will be difficult to drill and tap this thin rod however.

It only snapped off the end of the threaded section, there is even a small (~1mm) section still protruding past the lever. It might be enough for some sort of c-clip, though I'd be afraid it might walk off too. I like your suggestion better if I can pull it off.

What am I in for if I were to try to replace the rod?

[uuuuu]

Originally Posted by rollingblunder

It only snapped off the end of the threaded section, there is even a small (~1mm) section still protruding past the lever. It might be enough for some sort of c-clip, though I'd be afraid it might walk off too. I like your suggestion better if I can pull it off.

What am I in for if I were to try to replace the rod?

Similar thing happened to me...but fortunately I was able to get the nut back on partially to keep the switch from coming out. I talked to a mechanic on the phone who is very familiar with Toyotas...only way is to open up the transmission to get at it :-(.

[JohnGD]

Not sure about in-car removal. You can drop the pan and check out the other end of the rod on the other side of the transmission. It's partially blocked by the valve body and the rod is linked to the manual valve, so as you rotate the NSS the manual valve moves side-to-side (driver side to passenger side) in the valve body. I'm not sure if the parking cam mechanism can be removed then. But if you can, the parking cam gear comes off, a clip at the end of the shift rod comes off, and out it goes.

Take a look at page 513, figure 67, item 991. Looks like the whole thing comes as a kit, can't just get the rod:
http://www.transtar1.com/catDownload.asp?ID=768

Call up your local Transtar and ask for the price of the kit. If you do decide to dig into it, also pick up a strainer and cork-rubber gasket from them.
http://www.transtar1.com/locations.asp

Maybe give it a try and write up a DIY?

[rollingblunder]

Thanks for the help guys. The head came off another bolt while I was trying to remove the NSS so I'll plan to leave it where it is and over the weekend I'll try your suggestions to secure the lever arm. I'm starting to think that my liquid wrench and little propane torch are no match for the michigan rust.