'98 Toyota 4Runner Neutral Safety Switch Replacement

by Pete
(Crystal River, Fl)

I have a 1998 4Runner SR5, 3.6 V6,Automatic transmission that has been having starting problems. Often I hit the ignition and get nothing. Then hit it again and it starts. Finally after looking at the schematic I tried holding the key in the "Start" position (on a failed start) and shifting from "Park" to "Neutral". It started. I feel pretty confident the Neutral Safety Switch is the problem. I inspected it and it appeared to be adjusted properly (the flat tang lines up with the "neutral" line etched on the switch body when in Neutral). I'm trying to remove the switch following the relatively simple procedure in my Chilton's manual. I've unstaked the washer and removed the lower (large) retaining nut as well as the upper adjusting nut (smaller) in the slotted hole. I've also removed the electrical harness. That should do it according to my Chilton's. While the switch rotates freely around the stud coming out of the transmission, it will not come free. Do I simply need to apply some addition force with a pry bar, or am I missing something?