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Inhibitor switch or neutral safety switch?

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Old 06-26-2012, 10:25 PM
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Inhibitor switch or neutral safety switch?

Hi everyone,

I have a '95 Maxima that's been throwing a 1101 (inhibitor switch) and a 0304 (knock sensor) code. Is the inhibitor switch the same thing as the neutral safety switch? Been digging in the forums here but I can't seem to find a mention of both in the same discussion (nor any mention of code 1101 and neutral safety switch in the same conversation) so I'm not certain they're one and the same.

A search at the AutoZone website brings up neutral safety switches but no inhibitor switches, while a search on the CourtesyParts website brings up the opposite: an inhibitor switch but no neutral safety switch. Are they the same thing?
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Old 06-27-2012, 07:42 AM
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Mine has been throwing the Neutral safety which 1003.... Guessing your car is an automatic, mine is an manual. I think it has something to do with the security maybe.. Here is a thread

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...or-switch.html
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Old 06-27-2012, 08:16 AM
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They are the same thing. Automatics have an inhibitor switch (AKA nuetral safety switch) that restricts starting unless transmission is in P or N; manuals have a clutch interlock switch that requires the clutch to be depressed before the starter will operate.
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Old 06-27-2012, 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by bobflood
They are the same thing. Automatics have an inhibitor switch (AKA nuetral safety switch) that restricts starting unless transmission is in P or N; manuals have a clutch interlock switch that requires the clutch to be depressed before the starter will operate.
^This.
Manual=inhibiter
Automatic=Neutral safety switch
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Old 06-27-2012, 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by max1008
Mine has been throwing the Neutral safety which 1003.... Guessing your car is an automatic, mine is an manual.
Yes, mine is an automatic.

Originally Posted by max1008
I think it has something to do with the security maybe.. Here is a thread

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...or-switch.html
Thanks for the link, but it doesn't help clarify an answer to my question.
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Old 06-27-2012, 01:35 PM
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if you're looking for a knock sensor, i'm selling original equipment genuine nissan knock sensors for $35.00 (which includes usps small flat rate box shipping to lower 48 states; add $2.00 if you want shipping insurance) to org members. this is the absolute best price you'll find for a genuine new nissan knock sensor. here's the link to the ad. thanks.

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...0-shipped.html
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Old 06-27-2012, 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by max1008
Mine has been throwing the Neutral safety which 1003.... Guessing your car is an automatic, mine is an manual. I think it has something to do with the security maybe.. Here is a thread

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...or-switch.html
The linked thread has nothing to do with security. You are thinking about the immobilizer, which is only available on the 99.
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Old 06-27-2012, 07:27 PM
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Thanks for clarifying this for me, everyone. I have an automatic so it looks like I'll be picking up a neutral safety switch, then.

I believe that I read somewhere that testing the rear reverse lights is another indicator that this switch isn't working properly? Is that correct? If so, what do I need to do to test that? Simply shift into reverse and if there're no lights, I know the switch isn't doing its job?
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