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1997 Electrical Issue

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  #1  
Old 05-11-2007, 12:03 AM
JimmyGInOKC's Avatar
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Default 1997 Electrical Issue

Hello,
I'm having problems with my 1997 3.0 GL.
Intermittently (driving down the road, in reverse) the radio will stop working.
It seems like the power steering does the same thing but not as often.
From time to time it sounds like a relay is clicking beneath the steering column however, I've ensured that all the relays I can find are working. This is a great reliable machine otherwise.
Any Gurus out there wanna' tackle this?
Thanks
 
  #2  
Old 05-11-2007, 09:31 AM
Hayapower's Avatar
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Default RE: 1997 Electrical Issue

'Oddly' enough,, the fix for this issue is a transmission range sensor..

[IMG]local://upfiles/6756/3B94D29CED5148B693F570F819BB0F28.gif[/IMG]
 
  #3  
Old 05-11-2007, 08:06 PM
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Default RE: 1997 Electrical Issue

Have to agree with the above post. Have replaced many of them.
 
  #4  
Old 05-12-2007, 02:13 PM
JimmyGInOKC's Avatar
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Default RE: 1997 Electrical Issue

I called the dealer and they have 2 different styles so I have to pull it off and take it in.
Thanks for the input.
 
  #5  
Old 07-25-2007, 10:32 AM
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 6
Default RE: 1997 Electrical Issue

Is this an easyfix?

I am having the same problems. When I put the car in reverse, the radio, power steering, electric windows, wipers all stop working. The radio stops playing but still shows station and time. When I put it in drive, everything usually starts working again. Sometimes driving down the road, the radio stops playing but everying else I mentioned still works. Once time it even seemed as if the radio would quit playing and start again every time I would hit a bump or turn a corner, almost like a skipping cd.
 
  #6  
Old 07-25-2007, 12:06 PM
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Default RE: 1997 Electrical Issue

Pretty simple repair with just basic tools...
 
  #7  
Old 07-25-2007, 09:15 PM
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Default RE: 1997 Electrical Issue

I did take the time to replace it. All of about 5 minutes. Autozone and most other parts store will not have this in their books as the aforementioned transmission range sensor. More simply put, they'll call it neutral safety switch. For a few minutes in my search I thought only the dealers had it until I realised what it was.
Only cost me about $17.
Thanks for the help everyone.
 
  #8  
Old 07-26-2007, 04:52 PM
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Default RE: 1997 Electrical Issue

Thanks for the info! I am off to the parts store to see if I can get one. Today the car started having the problem not only in reverse but in drive as well. It started sprinkling on me and I couldn't use my wipers or roll the window up until I put it in neutral. Luckily is wasn't a full out rain...
 
  #9  
Old 07-26-2007, 06:25 PM
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Default RE: 1997 Electrical Issue

Thatswhenthe issues occur.. R or D...

It is actually a Trans Range Sensor since the PCM 'see's the full range of gear selections made/commanded.. Neutral safety function was more just a connection/contact in P and N for the starter circuit.. But depending on who you call, the terminolgy may/will differ... Some aftermarket vendors will even have pricevariances for top/standard qualityparts ect.....
 
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