Engine cuts out when i shift out of park

Asked by shadowheals Feb 27, 2017 at 08:24 AM about the 2003 Toyota Corolla S

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

While driving home Saturday night about a half mile to three quarter miles
from my house my tachometer started bouncing up and down. Then the
headlights started flickering. I also heard a weird noise coming from my
car. I cant describe the noise very well, it was just audibly different than
normal.

I than got into my driveway and when i shifted it into park the engine cutoff.
I started the car back up with no problems but when i'd shift out of park the
engine would cut out again. I tried it again Sunday morning and same
thing. I could let it idle for any amount of time and there is no issue. I also
tried it again this morning and i could shift it a few times but it would cut out
eventually.

Possible coincidence but we had a wicked downpour Saturday night and I
hit a decent size pool of water on the road a few hours before i got
home(drove it probably 20 minutes or so after that to get to my friends
house and was driving back when the issues occurred).

Automatic Transmission 225k miles

1 Answer

220,915

Well it does sound like a electrical issue, something must have gotten wet, like maybe the neutral safety switch. A wire or connection probably is cutting the engine when shifting. May want to try and get under there and unplug the neutral safety switch and blow out the plugin and the switch, see if that helps.

3 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Jeff Polhemus
    Reputation
    3,360
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    3,270
  • #3
    hashimmir
    Reputation
    2,500
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Toyota Camry
44 Great Deals out of 1,134 listings starting at $4,795
Used Honda Civic
192 Great Deals out of 4,047 listings starting at $440
Used Honda Accord
57 Great Deals out of 961 listings starting at $2,995
Used Toyota RAV4
127 Great Deals out of 3,065 listings starting at $4,999
Used Honda CR-V
181 Great Deals out of 5,013 listings starting at $440
Used Toyota Tacoma
37 Great Deals out of 728 listings starting at $9,975
Used Hyundai Elantra
164 Great Deals out of 3,045 listings starting at $1,995
Used Toyota Prius
14 Great Deals out of 196 listings starting at $2,028
Used Mazda MAZDA3
71 Great Deals out of 1,303 listings starting at $3,499
Used Nissan Sentra
69 Great Deals out of 1,873 listings starting at $190
Used Toyota Yaris
14 Great Deals out of 191 listings starting at $2,449
Used Nissan Altima
25 Great Deals out of 676 listings starting at $3,795
Used Toyota 4Runner
23 Great Deals out of 545 listings starting at $12,999

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.