P0850 CEL code

neroxix

Member
:
Mazdaspeed Protege' 2003.5
So ive been doing research and this seems to be a neutral safety switch issue. I am not having high idle like the others however. I have cleared the code and came back on within an hour of driving my MSP. Question is, where is the switch located? I've looked at a trans rebuild guide and noticed it is #15 on the transmission, but have came across other posts saying its in the engine bay near the throttle body. Can somebody let me know what I'm looking for. Also are there any suppliers for this part or will I just have to call a junk yard? (rather not junkyard due to busy work schedule)
Thanks for any input.

I plan on rebuilding the transmission soon, so if I need to find it on the trans that wont be an issue. Just would like to clear the code before hand.
(drive)
 
Actually I think I may have found the part on RockAuto and on my car. Not too hard to get to at all if it is the same one that I've seen. It is the one with the 2 green wires hooking up to the transmission I would assume correct? Do these things just randomly fail? Or should I look for other issues as well?
Also off topic but what would the VICS solenoid be under? Emissions, Sensors? I'm usually able to find everything off rock auto but not that. Just would like to get that replaced as well. (dead sensors are annoying)
 
The neutral safety switch threads into the trans, there are two wires on it. It looks exactly like the reverse switch. They sell them at the parts stores and they can fail over time. VICS/VTCS solenoids fail as well, junkyards are full of them. New ones are ~$100 so I grab a hand full every time I go to the JY and now I have a drawer of them
 
Update on the issue.
I have replaced the safety switch and the code is still there. I have noticed my accelerator pedal sticking slightly when shifting. It seemed to just start happening after I pulled my cel. I just replaced the vics solenoid also. Finally found one haha. Any clue where I should go next with this code?
Thanks for the help hornsfan
Also if this helps, my car still idles around 700 rpm even after the solenoid change.
 
Last edited:
Could I be looking at a possible bad IAC Valve? Every time it is around 25 degrees or lower out, my car kills on the first start. Thought it was the vics/vtcs solenoid but even after replacing that the problem is still there. I have a bubbly idle also. I will tak a look at cleaning out the throttle body this weekend. I'm just at a loss on this code.
 
700-750 is the correct idle, you may have a vacuum leak causing the idle to be unsteady. If the new switch did not clear the code the wiring may be damaged in the harness.
 
Back