Wont start with out moving gear leaver back and forth

The neutral safety switch in a 2008 Dodge Nitro is typically located on the transmission case, near the gear selector linkage. If your vehicle is experiencing starting issues in park and now the park won't engage, it's possible that the neutral safety switch might be malfunctioning. I recommend having a professional mechanic diagnose and repair the issue to ensure it's properly addressed.

No it doesn't. Any neutral safety switch is to stop a driver from starting a vehicle while said vehicle is in any gear other than P (park) or N (neutral) so the vehicle doesn't just start moving after startup. This doesn't effect the gears any whatsoever. Early US model vehicles had the neutral safety switch on the steering column and was connected to the shift lever. Late model automatic trans vehicles have this switch mounted directly to the transmission shift rod at the trans and mounted to it.

The part in question is called the neutral safety switch or sometimes called the transmission range sensor. It might just need adjusting.

It sounds like the neutral safety switch is going bad!

Daewoo cars have track record for dependability in addition to solid construction. The most important part of a car's design is the safety features. Circumvent excessive risk while motoring by insuring that your car has the safety gear that you want. A vehicle's Neutral Safety Switch is located on your clutch in the case that it's a manual transmission, and on the shifter in an automatic. A broken Neutral Safety Switch can cause your vehicle to suddenly start in gear, causing vehicle damage or personal injury.

If you don't have the Neutral Safety Switch, your vehicle will fail to work. The Neutral Safety Switch is typically situated below the clutch of trucks which have a stick-shift transmission. The primary function of a Neutral Safety Switch is to stop your truck from starting when in gear. The car's Neutral Safety Switch acts as a safety feature, keeping you from starting the engine if the car is in gear. The Neutral Safety Switch is an electronic part which is essential while starting your car.Here's a link to what it look's like.

Test/Service/Replace

The circuit on newer cars with automatic transmissions has a neutral safety, or neutral start switch installed between the ignition switch and the starter. The ignition switch cannot operate the starter motor unless the transmission is in park or neutral.
Late model vehicles with manual transmissions have a starter/clutch interlock switch that requires the clutch to be depressed to the floor.
Neutral Safety Switch
Normal operations of a neutral safety switch provides a quick check for the adjustment of the gear selector linkage.

• To do this, move the selector slowly until it clicks into the PARK position.
• Turn the ignition key to the START position.
• If the starter operates, the PARK position is correct.
• After checking the PARK position, move the lever slowly toward the NEUTRAL position until the lever drops at the end of the NEUTRAL stop in the selector gate.
• If the starter also operates at this point, the gearshift linkage is properly adjusted.
• This quick test also tests the adjustment of the neutral safety switch.
• If the engine does not start in either or both of these positions, the neutral safety switch or the gear selector linkage needs adjustment or repair.

CAUTION
Since you must work under the vehicle to adjust most shift linkages make sure you properly raise and support the vehicle before working under it. Also, wear safety glasses or goggles while working under the vehicle.
A voltmeter can be used to check the switch for voltage when the ignition key is turned to the START position with the shift lever in PARK or NEUTRAL. If there is no voltage, the switch should be adjusted or replaced.

the key tumbler may be defective or the shift lock mechanism, do you have to put your foot on the brake in order to move the shifter without the key in the ignition? car willnot start does the lights come on do the accessory work lights, radio, can you shift from park neutral does the vehicle go into neutral have some one push it to see if it moves you may want to check the neutral safety switch or the gear indicator

Your safety interlock switch is going out or is not adjusted properly. There is a procedure for adjusting the switch. The switch is on the transmission in the engine compartment. If you want to adjust the switch, loosen the botls holding the switch and follow steps 7-8 below. Else, you can just replace the switch entirely by following all steps.

The neutral start and backup switch are one unit mounted on the top left end of the transaxle. The neutral start portion of the switch allows electrical current to travel to the ignition system when the shift selector is in park or neutral only. The vehicle will not start when the selector is in any other gear. The backup portion operates the rear backup lamps when selector is in the reverse gear.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION See Figures 1 and 2

1. Make sure the shift selector in the Park position, then apply the emergency brake.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Disengage the neutral start switch electrical connector, then remove the shift control lever on top of the switch.
4. Remove the two neutral switch attaching bolts, then remove the switch.

Fig. Fig. 1: Neutral safety switch location-vehicles equipped with automatic transaxle

Fig. Fig. 2: Adjusting the neutral safety switch

To install:

1. Install the switch on the manual shaft.
2. Loosely install the two attaching bolts and washers.
3. Insert a No. 43 drill (0.089 in.) through the hole.
4. Tighten the attaching bolts to 7-9 ft. lbs. (9-12 Nm), then remove the drill.
5. Engage the switch electrical connector, then connect the negative battery cable.

hi this sounds like the switch is u/s worn, there are two types of switch, in two different locations, there is a plunger type switch, it has a sprung loaded plunger into a small switch box, or the contact type switch, which as you move the stick it makes contact inside the switch, one is located under the vehicle on the transmission the other is connected to the gear leaver under the centre console, you will have to locate and replace, as by what you say it just has warn out and needs a new one, hope this helps

You linkage is working properly it sounds like, especially if the indicator for "D, R, N", etc are lining up. However the linkage or the neutral safety switch may need to be adjusted. More than likely, it's your neutral safety switch.

The brake pedal release has nothing to do with the neutral safety switch when switching gears.

The brake pedal release is just a safety to prevent you from pushing the gear shifter accidentally. Actually, you should be able to start the truck without holding the brakes.

If the neutral safety switch is bad or misaligned, it'll do exactly what you're describing. If pulling it down in neutral starts the truck, then that's a sure indicator.