If you replace a neutral safety switch on a 1998 Cabrio Volkswagen 2.0 l engine and it still does the same thing what is the next step

I believe it's attached directly to the clutch pedal. You're gonna do some bending, but its there. Good luck.

In general, the neutral safety switch prevents the engine from starting without disengaging the clutch

Why did you replace an alternator on a vehicle that won't start??? The engine has to be running to test the alternator to even see if it needs to be replaced! Sounds like you replaced everything related to the starter but the most likely cause of the problem...the starter motor. You could also have a bad neutral safety switch or a bad ignition switch. What you need to do is to have your starting system diagnosed before wasting any more money guessing.

1993-2005 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf, GTI, Cabrio (A3-A4) Hatchback & Sedan Workshop Repair Service Manual - 350MB PDF

1993 2005 Volkswagen Jetta Golf GTI Cabrio A3 A4 Hatchback Sedan...

This is a COMPLETE Service and Repair Manual for your 1993 1994 1955 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 VW Jetta, Golf, GTI, Cabrio (1.8L turbo, 1.9L TDI and PD diesel 2.0L gasoline, 2.8 LVR6) (A3, A4 Platform) Hatchback & Sedan. It covers every single detail. All models, and all engines are included.

This QUALITY manual is 100 percents COMPLETE and INTACT, no MISSING/CORRUPT pages/sections to freak you out! Detailed illustrations, exploded diagrams, drawings and photos guide you through every service repair procedure. This manual can be viewed on any computer, as well as zoomed and printed. All repair procedures are covered A-Z. This manual for VW Jetta, Golf, GTI, Cabrio makes any repair job easy to do with very easy to follow step-by-step instructions & pictures on all areas of repair.

1993 1994 1955 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 VW Jetta, Golf, GTI, Cabrio (1.8L turbo, 1.9L TDI and PD diesel 2.0L gasoline, 2.8 LVR6) (A3, A4 Platform) Hatchback & Sedan
===========
Format: PDF
System: All Versions of Windows, Mac, iOS, BB, Android, etc..
Requirements: PDF Reader.
Printable: Yes

TABLE OF CONTENT (example)

GENERAL INFORMATION *

ENGINE *
engine mechanical
engine lubrication system
engine cooling system
engine control system
fuel system
exhaust system

TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE *
clutch
manual transaxle
automatic transaxle

DRIVELINE/AXLE *
front axle
rear axle

SUSPENSION *
front suspension
rear suspension
road wheels & tyres

BRAKES *
brake system
parking brake system
brake control system

STEERING *
power steering system
steering system

RESTRAINTS *
seat belts
supplemental restraint system (srs)

BODY *
body, lock & security system
glasses, window system & mirrors
roof
exterior & Interior
Instrumental panel
seat

AIR CONDITIONER *
air conditioner system

ELECTRICAL *
wiring diagrams
starting & charging system
lighting system
driver information system
wiper, washer & horn
body control system
lan system
audio visual, navigation & telephone system
auto cruise control system
power supply, ground & circuit elements

MAINTENANCE *
maintenance

INDEX *
alphabetical Index

1993 1994 1955 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 VW Jetta, Golf, GTI, Cabrio (1.8L turbo, 1.9L TDI and PD diesel 2.0L gasoline, 2.8 LVR6) (A3, A4 Platform) Hatchback & Sedan

check 15 amp fuse (may be in engine compartment relay box). If fuse is good, check switch on transmission. To check the switch, pull the connector off and short the two outer terminals together. With the key on, the backup light should come on. If they do, replace the switch. The switch looks something like this:


The neutral safety switch, otherwise known as the park/neutral position switch, prevents the vehicle from being started in any position other than PARK and NEUTRAL. It also functions as the back-up lamp switch.
The neutral safely switch is threaded into the transmission case. When the gearshift lever is placed in either the PARK or NEUTRAL position, a cam, which is attached to the transmission throttle lever inside the transmission, contacts the neutral safety switch and provides a ground to complete the starter solenoid circuit. The back-up light switch is incorporated into the neutral safety switch.
The center terminal is for the neutral safety switch and the two outer terminals are for the back-up lights.
There is no adjustment for the switch. If a malfunction occurs, the switch must be removed and replaced.

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.

Sounds like the neutral safety switch is going bad. Next time it does this to you with the engine off and the selector in neutral pop the clutch by pushing it down all the way then letting your foot slide off to the side so it's pops up and then see if you can start it. If this works you need to adjust the clutch and or replace the neutral safety switch on the transmission.

1. I tried to find a
   Toyota Corolla Wiring Diagram 1998 |
   If you go to your library you can look for free. Just not sure of location of of neutral safety switch for your year of car. In the back of motor manual is wire diagrams you will find switch there. Also GEO Prism is the same car.
   
2. The last time I worked on a Prism it was a 1997 I found a bad wire connection at the shifter. Took 20 minutes to do repair and no parts.
   
3. So I would check the switch in your console. Sometime they stick or a wire comes loose. Sometimes a little WD-40 shot to the switch helps.
   

Use like reference guide for GM Cadillac 1967-1989 Repair Guide Neutral Safety Switch - REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

All Except 1985-89 Eldorado and Seville
See Figure 1
The neutral safety switch prevents the engine from being started in any transmission position except Neutral or Park. The switch is located on the upper side of the steering column under the instrument panel on column shift cars, and inside the shift console on floor shift models.

1. Remove the console for access on floor shift models.
2. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
3. Remove the neutral switch.

To install:

1. Place 1967-70 column shift lever models in Drive, and 1971 and later models in neutral. Locate the lever tang against the transmission selector plate on column shift models.
2. Align the slot in the contact support with the hole in the switch. Insert a 3 / 32 in. (2.38mm) diameter pin in place. The switch is now aligned in Drive position.

1973 and later neutral safety switches have a shear-pin installed to aid in proper switch alignment so that insertion of a pin is unnecessary. Moving the shift lever from Neutral shears the pin.

1. Place the contact support drive slot over the drive tang. Install the switch mounting screws.
2. Remove the aligning pin. Connect the electrical wiring, and replace the console.
3. Set the parking brake and hold your foot on the service brake pedal. Check to see that the engine will start only in Park or Neutral.

Fig. 1: Installation of a common neutral safety switch



ADJUSTMENT
See Figure 2
1974 and later cars do not have a neutral safety switch. Instead, these cars have an interlock between the lock and the transmission selector, which is non-adjustable.

1. Place the shift lever in Neutral.
2. Move the switch until you can insert a gauge pin, 3 / 32 in. (2.38mm) diameter, into the hole in the switch and through to the alignment hole.
3. Loosen the switch securing screws. Remove the console first, if necessary.
4. Tighten the screws and remove the pin.
5. Step on the brake pedal and check to see that the engine will only start in Neutral or Park.
   

Fig. 2: Adjustment of a common neutral safety switch


1985-89 Eldorado and Seville
See Figure 3

All neutral safety/back-up light switches come with a small plastic alignment pin installed. Leave this pin in place.

1. Place the shifter assembly in the Neutral position.
2. Remove the shifter lever-to-switch nut and the lever.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the neutral safety/back-up light switch.
4. Remove the neutral safety/back-up light switch-to-transaxle bolts and the switch from the vehicle.

To install:

1. Position the shifter shaft in the Neutral position.

If using an old switch or the plastic pin (new switch) is broken, install a3/32in. (2.38mm) diameter pin gauge (drill bit) into the neutral safety/back-up light switch; the switch is then locked into its Neutral position.

1. Align the flats of the shifter shaft and the neutral safety/back-up light, then, align the switch-to-tang on the transaxle. Torque the switch-to-transaxle bolts to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm). Remove the pin gauge.
2. To complete installation, reverse the removal procedures. Make sure that the engine starts only in the Park and Neutral positions.
   

Fig. 3: Neutral start and back-up lamp switch - 1985-89 Eldorado and Seville

Hope help with this (remember rated and comment this). Good luck.

fuel sending unit it's in the gas tank. there's a access hole under the back seat.