Yes, the NSS (Neutral Safety Switch) is often the culprit when the backup lights occasionally work, and it's a good thing to refurbish it.
But I found on my 1997 XJ that wasn't the whole problem -- the shift cable that runs from the shift lever to the transmission also needed adjustment.
It's easy to do (much easier than refurbishing the NSS) and it's on the same shaft as the NSS, just on the other side of the transmission.
On my XJ the cable was adjusted too tight (I wouldn't expect this on a 16-year old vehicle, but I don't know what the PO did) and when the shift lever was set to Park the transmission was only partially in Park. I've read too many stories about vehicles left idling and slipping out of Park to want that to happen to mine.
But I found on my 1997 XJ that wasn't the whole problem -- the shift cable that runs from the shift lever to the transmission also needed adjustment.
It's easy to do (much easier than refurbishing the NSS) and it's on the same shaft as the NSS, just on the other side of the transmission.
On my XJ the cable was adjusted too tight (I wouldn't expect this on a 16-year old vehicle, but I don't know what the PO did) and when the shift lever was set to Park the transmission was only partially in Park. I've read too many stories about vehicles left idling and slipping out of Park to want that to happen to mine.
