Need picture of "lever position sensor/ neutral safety switch for my 1997 ford explorer

The neutral safety switch is located on the transmission shift lever. Its held onto the transmission case by 2 bolts in slotted holes. You will need to remove the kickdown lever. The switch will slip off the shift lever with just a little pry if dirty. Replace the switch while the transmission is in neutral. There is a small hole in the side of the switch to stick a small pin or awl into to locate the neutral position of the switch. I would try to adjust the old switch before replacing it.

Should be a black object on the transmission at the shift lever.

check your local labrary

The alternator does not come into play until after the engine starts.
Did you check the neutral safety switch ?

will be on lever trans mission normally

Safety Switch Most neutral safety switches are combinations of a neutral safety switch and a backup lamp switch. Others have separate units for these two distinct functions. When the reverse light switch is not part of the neutral safety switch, it seldom needs adjustment, as it is directly activated by the transmission or the gear selector linkage.
Typical location of a neutral safety switch on a transaxle. Reprinted with permission of Ford Motor Company. A neutral safety switch allows current to pass from the starter switch to the starter when the lever is placed in the P or N position. Some neutral safety switches are nonadjustable. If these prevent starting in the P or N position and the gear selector linkage is correctly adjusted, they should be replaced.
To adjust a typical neutral safety switch:

• Place the shift lever in neutral.
• Loosen the attaching bolts for the switch.
• Using the angling pin, move the switch until the pin falls into the hole in its rotor.
• Tighten the attaching bolts.
• Recheck the switch for continuity. If no voltage is present, replace the switch.
• The switch sometimes controls the operation of the back-up lights also. With the engine off and the key on, put the selector in reverse position. Check the back-up lights to see that they are on. Then, check in the drive position to see that they are out.

On 1992 and later models, the neutral safety switch is incorporated into the Manual Lever Position or Transmission Range MLP/TR sensor.

RENOVAL & INSTALLATION

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
   
2. Raise and support the vehicle safely on jackstands.
   
3. Place the transmission in Neutral.
   
4. Remove and discard the manual control lever nut, then remove the lever from the transmission.
   
5. Detach the TR sensor electrical harness connector, remove the TR sensor retaining bolts, then pull the TR sensor off of the transmission case.
   

To install:

1. Position the TR sensor against the transmission case and loosely install the 2 retaining screws.
   
2. Attach the TR sensor electrical harness connector.
   
3. Use an alignment tool, such as the TR Sensor Alignment Tool T93P-70010-A, to align the TR sensor slots.
   
4. Tighten the TR sensor bolts to 80-100 inch lbs. (9-11 Nm).
   
5. Position the manual control lever onto the TR sensor, then install the new lever nut to 22-26 ft. lbs. (30-35 Nm).
   
6. Lower the vehicle.
   
7. Connect the negative battery cable.

ADJUSTMENT

Fig. : Adjusting the MLP sensor (click image for zoom)


Park is the last detent when the manual control lever is full forward. Return 2 detents toward the output shaft for Neutral.

1. Position the manual control lever in Neutral .
   
2. Raise the and safely support the vehicle.
   
3. Loosen the sensor retaining bolts.
   
4. Insert Gear Position Sensor Adjuster tool T93P-700 10-A or equivalent, into the slots.
   
5. Align all 3 slots on the MLP sensor with 3 tabs on the tool.
   
6. Tighten the attaching screws to 80-100 inch lbs. (9-11 Nm).
   
7. Lower the vehicle.

Hope this helps (remember to rating ans leave a testimonial commnet about this free answer).

Neutral Safety/Back-up Light Switch

This is a combination switch which controls both Neutral Safety and Back-up lamp circuits.

C6 Transmission



C6 neutral start switch

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle on jackstands.
3. Remove the downshift linkage rod return spring at the low-reverse servo cover.
4. Coat the outer lever attaching nut with penetrating oil. Remove the nut and lever.
5. Remove the 2 switch attaching bolts, disconnect the wiring at the connectors and remove the switch.
6. Installation is the reverse of removal. Adjust the switch and tighten the bolts to 55-75 inch lbs. (6.2-8.5 Nm).
7. Remove the jackstands and lower the vehicle.
8. Connect the negative battery cable.

AOD Transmission



Removing the AOD neutral start switch

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle on jackstands.
3. Disconnect the wiring from the switch.
4. Using a deep socket, unscrew the switch.
5. Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten the switch to 10 ft. lbs. (14 Nm).
6. Remove the jackstands and lower the vehicle.
7. Connect the negative battery cable.

4R70W Transmission




Removing the Manual Lever Position (MLP) sensor

As of 1994, the neutral safety switch is referred to as a Manual Lever Position Sensor (MLP).

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle on jackstands.
3. Disengage the harness connector from the MLP sensor.
4. Remove the 2 sensor attaching bolts and remove the sensor.

To install:

1. Install the MLP sensor and install retaining bolts. Do not tighten, the sensor requires adjustment.
2. Adjust the MLP sensor then tighten attaching screws to 80-100 inch lbs. (9-11 Nm).
3. Remove the jackstands and lower the vehicle.
4. Connect the negative battery cable.

ADJUSTMENT

C6 Transmission

1. Hold the steering column transmission selector lever against the Neutral stop.
2. Move the sliding block assembly on the neutral switch to the Neutral position and insert a 0.091 in. (2.3mm) gauge pin in the alignment hole on the terminal side of the switch.
3. Move the switch assembly housing so that the sliding block contacts the actuating pin lever. Secure the switch to the outer tube of the steering column and remove the gauge pin.
4. Check the operation of the switch. The engine should only start in Neutral and Park .

4R70W Transmission




Adjusting the MLP sensor

Park is the last detent when the manual control lever is full forward. Return 2 detents toward the output shaft for Neutral.

1. Position the manual control lever in Neutral .
2. Insert Gear Position Sensor Adjuster tool T93P-700 10-A or equivalent, into the slots.
3. Align all 3 slots on the MLP sensor with 3 tabs on the tool.
4. Tighten the attaching screws to 80-100 inch lbs. (9-11 Nm).

I hope help you. Good luck (rated this help).

you need to adjust the shift linkage and neutral - park safety switch.
Cable Adjustment —Shift Indicator

1. Remove the upper instrument panel steering column cover (04459); refer to Section 501-12 .

1. Place the gearshift lever in the (D) position.
   • Rotate the gearshift lever clockwise until it bottoms out (first gear), then rotate two detents counterclockwise ((D) position).

1. Hang a 3.6 kg (8 lb) weight on the gearshift lever.

1. Center the pointer in the middle of the (D) position.
   • Rotate the thumbwheel located on the bottom of the steering column to adjust the pointer.

1. Remove the 3.6 kg (8 lb) weight.

1. Carefully move the gearshift lever from detent to detent and compare with the transmission settings.
   • Readjust if necessary.

1. Install the upper instrument panel steering column cover; refer to Section 501-12 .

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Digital Transmission Range Sensor
The digital transmission range (TR) sensor is located on the outside of the transmission at the manual lever. The digital TR sensor completes the start circuit in Park and Neutral, the back-up lamp circuit in Reverse and the neutral sense circuit (4x4 only) in Neutral. The digital TR sensor also opens and closes a set of four switches that are monitored by the PCM to determine the position of the manual lever (P, R, N, D, 2, 1).
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I'm not sure what you mean by "neutral safety switch". I have the shop manual for this car (I also have a 2001) and there is nothing listed under "neutral" or "safety" or "switch" in the index that looks like it.