Help With CEL - P0850

[Blue_MS3]

I was cruising down the highway this weekend and my check engine light came on. I plugged in my AP and got a P0850 code, Parking/Neutral Switch Circuit malfunction. The car has roughly 15,000 miles on it and my only mod is a DP. Any ideas on what could cause the problem and what to check to locate the problem? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[GoFast]

im gonna go with a neutral switch and would probably start there.

i am pretty sure its located somewhere on the shifter.

you could try the dealer but run the risk of exposing your DP to the dealer. Shouldn't effect this issue, but could come up with any future issues.

 

[HOBDisease]

Clutch safety switch? I was not aware that a MS3 has a park/neutral safety switch.

 

[RC08MS3]

prob not a park/neutral, but a clutch definitely

 

[Blue_MS3]

Hmmm, not sure really. I was told that it is the switch that allows the car to know the clutch is in so the car will start. I was told it was the neutral switch and thats what the dealer called it as well. I called the dealer and they are going to fix but they are giving me a hard time about get a loaner so I can still go to work. Hopefully it will all work out in the end.

 

[Blue_MS3]

Mazda Dealerships are a joke, turned out there was a broken wire to the switch and they won't fix it because the plastic splash shield on the bottom of the car fell most of the way off and was dragging on the ground so I removed it and bam, no warranty. So be careful when removing your plastic splash shield.