Possibly, but not likely..

Try R and see if you have Back-up lamps..if you have start in P and lamps in R, most likely the sw is in adjustment.

What happens to these NSS is they get water in them from the road and in cold weather, the water freezes. stopping contact on the switching points. until the sw warms up.

A test for N adjustment is to hold the key in START position with left hand and move the shifter on each side of N..if it works off N center ,than the adjustment is likely just off a bit.. ..

Thanks Arthur for another expert reply (to which we all are grateful).

You are Welcome.......................................

Uh-oh. Add that to my list of concerns.

I think it was a mistake for me to wait for warmer weather to do this repair, since, because it is not cold, I will not be certain the repair worked. Hopefully it will still be chilly this weekend, when I do it.

I am doing this repair now.

I have the shifter linkage unbolted, but the linkage it not sliding off the metal pin/bolt that connects it to the switch. The outer part of the 'U' shaped connection slid over the bolt/pin but the inner part has not. Before I try to pry it off, is it supposed to slide off, or does that pin/bolt come out as well?

I'm not sure exactly what you are trying to describe. You have to completely remove the clamp bolt to be able to slide the arm off the shaft. Also, when you get it off look at the plastic arm on the switch (which engages the metal arm) and you will see a small hole that is intended to be used to align the switch. With the gear selector in neutral, the hole in the plastic arm lines up with a hole in the switch body. Insert a pin to align the two holes before you tighten the switch to the transmission. If this isn't clear, do a search and you will find some diagrams.

Fred, thanks.

I resoved it and got the lingage off. The geometrically-shaped pin(?) that goes to the transmission had to be turned a bit to align it with the oval shape of the linkage. After that, I was able to get the linkage off.

Thanks again.

I was successful, sort of.

I have start in Park, Backup lights, but no start in neutral.

When initially attaching the new switch, the black lever popped out of its white ring and I replaced it without regard for the alignment of the three notches -- I just reinsterted it in the first vertical position that worked.

In doing this, is it possible I locked out the neutral start? There are three positions/clicks on the switch, position (1) (I assume) for Park, (2) for Backup Lights and (3) for Neutral. If I reinstalled the lever to begin at the wrong posiution, would that be the cause of my peculiar condition?

I should add that the switch is properly aligned.

I pulled the switch, removed the black lever, and reinsterted it to match the position of the old one. After reinstalling I still do not have normal start in Neutral, and was worried until I read this:

I tried it, and the car started in Neutral, so it appears to be an alignment issue, which I may or may not correct.

Overall, this was not nearly as difficult a repair as I thought it would be. Start to finish required about 30-35 minutes. The key is small tools -- a 1/4" ratchet is essential, with a 2"-3" extension for removing the linkage bolt. All bolts are 10mm.

For easier removal/replacement of the switch's top bolt, the shifter should be in Neutral. For easier removal/replacement of the linkage bolt, the shifter should be in Park.