2006 Mazda Tribute. Check engine light came on, code stated the Neutral Safety Switch was bad. I replaced the NSS, but now while driving, the vehicle "searches" for which gear it wants to be in.

You have a great question that I cannot answer completely as I do not know what you drive. These links should help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-neutral-safety-switch-works

How to fix your NSS Neutral Safety Switch

How To Test and Replace the Neutral Safety Swtich Inhibitor Switch P0705

Neutral Safety Switch

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Check Engine Light Diagnosis Cost for Mazda Tribute ...

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A Check Engine Light is turned on when the Mazda Tribute engine control module detects a fault in the emissions system. One or more diagnostic codes will be

double posted now. ok, that's fun....
and no clue yet, as to where you heard NSS?
(what told you its bad, rumor, net rumor, FSM or the SCANNER)
???????
ok, that is neutral safety switch.

and on some transmissions very hard to find and reach.

why not post the DTC errors when you scan the PCM.
plug in any scan tool
and see those NSS (old name is PRNDL switch or just P/N switch)
changing names did nothing its still a switch. no matter what.

so never post drive line questions to any forum
with out stateing what drive line options you have.
engine size. 4wd, what trac-lock verson, what transmission is there.
here lets go now to jeep and see what question is asked first
ofter year and model, for the SAME reasons.

45RFE transmission

if you use google and search for that name and in english neutral safety switch, you get many hits, 1000s.
but the first hit is this..... you tube (very good)
and in that full tranny review,.. they cover the 45RFE
deep hidden NS switch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=e_xOJCqvi2Y#t=386


at 5 min. 26 seconds in to the video.
watch it now and learn,
if you dont have the 45RFE, (the trans side rail tells you what is there, the video covers finding that too, amazingly.)
then post what you really have,
we can not guess, drive line on any forum.
it must be stated.

and only about 1% of posts, actually say so..... sadly.....
pretend the cars body is missing
what do you see? ; BINGO. the drivline and suspensions.

My first instinct is to suggest cleaning the Neutral Safety Switch (NSS) using any type of spray on electrical contact cleaner. For other suggestions, go to: http://www.forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=39526

possible causes wiring,battery coonection-poor,starter motor,starter relay,seized engine and or broken component,bad connection and or ground problem,make sure it is properly in park,safety neutral switch is also a possibility.

The engine and the automatic transmission in this vehicle are computer controlled and in most cases when a fault occurs a fault code is stored in the memory of the computer control module. There are exception to this, such as the Mass Airflow Meter and fuel pressure problems. What must be done is to have all the basic testing done such as a scan of the system for fault codes as well as a check with a live data scanner tool for engine functions that are not within range of normal, a trained technician is required to know what is correct and what isn't, then based on careful diagnostics done from a factory repair manual the correct part is replaced or the wiring repaired or the computer replaced (known as the PCM), which is very rarely the problem. Other basic checks must be done as well such as mechanical problems with the engine as well as engine state of tune and mileage on the engine.

Possible causes are the starter, starter solenoid, battery, battery cables, neutral safety switch, and ignition switch.
The starter is mounted on the engine where the engine and transmission connect.
A mechanic would check the small wire on the solenoid for voltage when you turn the key to start.

?What do you mean NSS? Neutral Safety Switch? NSS is not an Abbreviation that I have ever heard of in 40 years. If you are talking about a Neutral Safety switch it is located in the transmission and would keep you from starting the vehicle unless it is in park or Neutral. Assuming you are talking about this and it's not the more common problem in the vehicles of the Linkage being out of adjustment it is located inside the transmission and can actually be replaced without any special tools or dropping the transmission in most cases.

It sounds like you need to replace your Neutral Safety Switch. A (NSS) Neutral Safety Switch comes in all Auto Transmission cars and is a safety device that only lets you start your car only while it is in Park or Neutral. If you try to start it in any other gear or if your NSS is going bad it will prevent you from starting your car. You can replace it yourself it is right by the Auto Shift lever under the console plate. I would have it checked out first to confirm but I'm pretty sure that's what you need.

i ve run into this problem a few times,with no cler results,i checked all wiring from computer to switch and all check out fine i also replaced switch and a month later same code,this one ended up with a bad pcm, another one had a bad wiring for overdrive switch, this was not an easy repair to diagnose.i think you should have amazda dealer look at it.