I know this has been asked numerous time but my neutral safety switch is starting to act up (no back-up lights and sometimes it will only start in Neutral) on my 1994 Jeep Cherokee (4.0L; 180K). Most of the threads (that I have seen) talk about the high cost of a new one (>$200). I have found one for a lot cheaper (<$70.00);
http://www.am-autoparts.com/1994/Jee...84/493426.html

So should I take it off and clean it or just replace it? or in other words; if I clean it will it last for a while? I don't mind taking it off and cleaning it but I would not like to do it unless I know it will last for a while.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

I cleaned mine years ago and it works fine. I would say it is worth your time, use the money for gas or something else.

 

It all depends. Sometimes all they need is a good cleaning and the spring need to be stretched back to there normal length. But if it is actually bad no amount of cleaning will help it. Personally I would start by cleaning it and if it work you will same the money for something else that you may want or need for it.

 

Clean it first. When you get it apart, first remove the O-ring seal then lay the half with the contacts on some emery paper and a flat surface and in a figure 8 motion clean the contact surface. Then make sure you put it beck together with some dielectric grease. I did mine about 2 years ago and it is doing fine. There are several threads out there that will take you through the process.
Good Luck

 

When you see how cruddy they get inside, and how nice they look after you clean 'em, I think you'll be able to re-use it.. This excellent article made it a breeze for me..

http://www.bc4x4.com/tech/2010/jeep-...ty-switch-nss/

 

Nice write up and asy to understand
Thanks

 

Thanks for information and advice; I know what I am doing this weekend

 

That's such a sweet article, makes me want to clean my NSS just for practice.
Nay, if it ain't broke, leave it alone.

 

Neutral safety switch off, cleaned, put back on and now I have back-up lights and it starts in Park and Neutral! This article was great (http://bc4x4.com/tech/2010/jeep-neut...ty-switch-nss/) and I highly recommend it to everyone who is thinking about doing this job. As pointed out in this article, I think the hardest thing on this job was getting that third zip-tie cut. One really needs long-handled side cutters (at least longer than the ones I had!). And wow was it ever cruddy in there! No wonder it was not working.
Thanks again for all of the advice.

 

If you take it off and clean it, it should last as long as it did the first time (there's very little wear in there, it just gets crudded up. Worst case, you may have to take a file and "re-flat" the ends of the contacts inside - DON'T LOSE THEM!)

You can replace it, it should last for a similar time.

If you do replace it, I'd like to talk to you about getting the old one.