Shifter stuck in park (need help)

u2vex · 05-09-2006, 8:40 PM

Recently everytime I start my car and try to take it out of park into reverse or drive the shifter is stuck and I gotta turn off the car take out the key and put it into the unlock shifter slot and take it into neutral and then restart the car in order for me to drive off...have this happen to anyone and can you help me with this problem....this only happened recently it worked fine before...

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MichaelBenz · 05-09-2006, 9:07 PM

It has an autolock mechanism on the transmission which requires you to PRESS THE BRAKE before taking it from park or it will lock it in park until you do. This keeps it from lunging forward when you go to drive due to possible high RPM's like the Saabs had a problem with. Actually...it was right around the time the Saabs had this lurching problem when these things came about.

**Ken1997TL** · 05-09-2006, 9:16 PM

Basically the sensor that detects that the brake has been engaged is not working.

TexasHonda · 05-09-2006, 10:30 PM

Keyswitch also enables the shift interlock. A faulty keyswitch could cause the same problem. A faulty or misaligned shift-lock solenoid could also cause this problem. It may take a lot of fault tracing to get to the bottom of your problem. An Acura shop manual is essential, or some good shop diagnosis.

good luck

MichaelBenz · 05-10-2006, 2:53 AM

Damn dude....didnt realize I was not in a 3G forum...(my bad)....disregard anything I said cause I dont know if this generation works the same as ours. Sorry.

u2vex · 05-10-2006, 9:53 AM

Yeah I know you gotta press on the brake to release it out of park and it worked fine before, but now it's just being a pain in the A**. but i'll take it to my local honda/acura specialist (not a stealership) and see if he can diagnose it and see what's up, I really don't have the time lately to get down and dirty. I'll let you all know what's up as soon as I do.

Thanks for all your replies!!!!!!!!!

**Ken1997TL** · 05-10-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelBenz

Damn dude....didnt realize I was not in a 3G forum...(my bad)....disregard anything I said cause I dont know if this generation works the same as ours. Sorry.

Actually your advice applies to just about every Honda and Acura made since the early 90's

MichaelBenz · 05-10-2006, 10:44 AM

Cool....this being my first Acura or Honda (car anyway)...I was not sure!

lcamacho123 · 06-07-2006, 4:48 PM

I have 208,000 miles and well it runs alright but recently at my Grandfathers house it got stuck and wouldn't go into gear so we pushed it forward and backward and it worked but now none of that crap even works and it's getting on my nerves that everytime I have to use the key and sometimes it doesn't work does anyone know how much this is going to cost me!

u2vex · 06-12-2006, 7:59 PM

well I didn't get the diagnosis on this issue...been so busy and after I posted the last time, it started working fine and it has since then, I push on the brake a lil harder than before, I guess like some ppl said the sensor might have something to do with it. but best of luck with yours...

**KaMLuNg** · 06-14-2006, 10:26 PM

i just had this problem on a Vigor i just bought... you need to chekc the shift lock solenoid and also the brake switch at the pedal...

vishnus11 · 07-06-2006, 12:02 AM

An obvious suggestion here, but one we might all overlook: are you parked on an incline when this happens. If you don't properly apply the handbrake when parked on an incline, the car's weight will rest on the transmission, and thus make it harder to shift out of park. I believe in old Pontiacs, you were actually advised to get another car to "bump" your car slightly up the slope so that you could get the tranny out of gear if this happened!

TexasHonda · 07-07-2006, 6:17 AM

This just happened to my 97 2.5TL. I confirmed the brake switch was the problem by observing that brake lights would not come on when brake was pressed. Last Sat. morning, I got under the dash to examine the brake switch. It is extremely difficult to reach, although it could be seen easily. How you remove it is a mystery, but may be possible w/ enough determination. I finally decided the switch must be sticking in the open position when the brake is pressed. I got a can of WD40 and a spray nozzle and doused the switch movement w/ WD40. So far the problem has not returned. I'm hopeful, as I really don't want to try to replace that switch.

regards

AznImports602 · 08-20-2006, 12:03 AM

You know, I recently had the same problem, but I started to press the brakes rapidly to get it to move. At first I thought it was my transmission acting out, but I guess its not.

TexasHonda · 08-20-2006, 7:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasHonda

This just happened to my 97 2.5TL. I confirmed the brake switch was the problem by observing that brake lights would not come on when brake was pressed. Last Sat. morning, I got under the dash to examine the brake switch. It is extremely difficult to reach, although it could be seen easily. How you remove it is a mystery, but may be possible w/ enough determination. I finally decided the switch must be sticking in the open position when the brake is pressed. I got a can of WD40 and a spray nozzle and doused the switch movement w/ WD40. So far the problem has not returned. I'm hopeful, as I really don't want to try to replace that switch.

regards

So far my "wd40" shower has worked.

regards

DiegosAnotherR1 · 10-08-2007, 8:20 AM

I just started having this problem this morning. But everytime I press the brake light, the parking brake indicater light on the dash turns on(the one on the gauges that says "BRAKE"). Its still dark outside, so I dont want to try getting at it yet till the sun comes out, but you guys think this is just the sensor, or will I have to go over my whole brake system since the brake warning light keeps comming on? help ASAP please. Thanks

DiegosAnotherR1 · 10-09-2007, 8:53 AM

nevermind. fixed it!

cvzillest · 03-20-2009, 6:03 PM

HOWW? I ALSO NEED HELP! thanks

KrayzieDxC · 03-20-2009, 7:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvzillest

HOWW? I ALSO NEED HELP! thanks

what wrongs with ur shifter, stuck in park? if so u need a break switch

belljam · 03-10-2011, 5:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasHonda

This just happened to my 97 2.5TL. I confirmed the brake switch was the problem by observing that brake lights would not come on when brake was pressed. Last Sat. morning, I got under the dash to examine the brake switch. It is extremely difficult to reach, although it could be seen easily. How you remove it is a mystery, but may be possible w/ enough determination. I finally decided the switch must be sticking in the open position when the brake is pressed. I got a can of WD40 and a spray nozzle and doused the switch movement w/ WD40. So far the problem has not returned. I'm hopeful, as I really don't want to try to replace that switch.

regards

I love this place! Had this problem today and was trying to figure out how much the garage was going to gouge me in order to fix this problem (shifter stuck in park). Thanks to TexasHonda and the other folks of this good forum - I just broke out the can of WD-40 and all is well!

Can't thank you guys enough!

defaceone · 03-25-2011, 12:25 AM

Possible bad brake light switch!!

LilBigWheel · 04-07-2011, 9:03 PM

--this happened to my wife while driving home with my child at a gas station at the same time that the Main Fuel Relay went out...initially thought it was a fuel pump cause i couldnt hear it...then talking to the service guy said relay rarely pump...anyway troubleshooting stuck in park....brake lights work fine so i ruled out break switch...thought shift lock solenoid took it off gave power works fine...whats my next step here its killin me cuz wife thinks this problem is sooo big we should sell the car.....btw its a great car, highly technical, but a great car....could anything near the MFR affect the park lock mechanism electronically??

LilBigWheel · 04-07-2011, 9:37 PM

its a 1996 3.2 TL

tempetom · 04-08-2011, 9:26 AM

I think I would still change the brake switch. It's cheap enough to give a try. It worked for me. I don't recall if my stop lights worked or not when I had the problem. I got the switch for around $35 I believe from Auto parts warehouse.

jperdoch · 04-10-2011, 7:45 PM

mine just went bad on my 03 TLS. same symptoms. Bought the switch at the local Acura dealer for 38 bucks, took 10 minutes to install...

clabberty · 07-22-2011, 11:01 AM

This has been happening to me every summer for four or five years. It's stinkin humid here near the Great Lakes right now and my shift lever sticks constantly. I discovered that on a normal hot, slightly humid day parking in shade makes it go away. I guess it gives my car a bit of personality.

Can someone give me a heads up where to look for and what the brake switch under the dash looks like? I have a can of WD40 and I'm not afraid to use it.

If it's really hard to find I might call my mechanic and ask what he'd charge to replace it for me.

Is there any benefit of WD40ing the actual shift lever itself?

Thanks. I love my car and hate degenerating in a lot of swear words when this happens.

I don't want to upset my Primrose in case she decides to get back at me. Always be nice to machines.

KrayzieDxC · 07-22-2011, 3:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clabberty

This has been happening to me every summer for four or five years. It's stinkin humid here near the Great Lakes right now and my shift lever sticks constantly. I discovered that on a normal hot, slightly humid day parking in shade makes it go away. I guess it gives my car a bit of personality.

Can someone give me a heads up where to look for and what the brake switch under the dash looks like? I have a can of WD40 and I'm not afraid to use it.

If it's really hard to find I might call my mechanic and ask what he'd charge to replace it for me.

Is there any benefit of WD40ing the actual shift lever itself?

Thanks. I love my car and hate degenerating in a lot of swear words when this happens.

I don't want to upset my Primrose in case she decides to get back at me. Always be nice to machines.

follow your break pedal ..and there you find a switch

clabberty · 07-23-2011, 9:38 AM

Thanks. So I follow the brake pedal and I then WD40 the first thing I see under the dashboard? Have you ever also WD40'd the shift lever?

clabberty · 08-13-2011, 1:16 PM

Problem was solved with new shifter cable. Thanks for all the assistance.

02Acura02 · 11-20-2012, 9:59 PM

Goodevening,
So with me being a single eoman/parent. I slightly paniced, when my 02 Acur would not come out of park this evening when i came out of the grocery store. So i read my manuel to at least utilize my shift lock feature. Thank God. BUT i am figuring that using that lock everytime is not the best result. So my question is?? Is the WD40 the best solution or will i have to replace the switch, OR do i keep pressing on the brake?? All honesty is appreciated!! ;D thank you all

jperdoch · 11-21-2012, 9:32 PM

It is so easy to replace, just go to the dealer and buy the part...forget the wd40

02Acura02 · 11-21-2012, 10:02 PM

I actually did have the brake sensor replaced today. It took all of 7 minutes to seitch out. Even though i. Did not do it myself. My brake lights were also out. So by switching that part out. Everything operates as designed. I was also told that, that concern is something that happens more often with Acuras. Thanks for yhis informative site.

zypkode · 12-13-2012, 11:06 AM

When this Happened to my Car. I was just Low on Transmission Fluid.

Fr3shAcuraTL · 01-05-2013, 9:23 PM

just happened to mee today they told me is not the sensor

06-07-2006, 4:48 PM	#9
lcamacho123 Registered Member Garage is empty, add now Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2005 Age: 23 Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Shifter Stuck in Park I have 208,000 miles and well it runs alright but recently at my Grandfathers house it got stuck and wouldn't go into gear so we pushed it forward and backward and it worked but now none of that crap even works and it's getting on my nerves that everytime I have to use the key and sometimes it doesn't work does anyone know how much this is going to cost me!

04-07-2011, 9:03 PM	#22
LilBigWheel New Member Garage is empty, add now Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	This also is my Stuck in Park problem --this happened to my wife while driving home with my child at a gas station at the same time that the Main Fuel Relay went out...initially thought it was a fuel pump cause i couldnt hear it...then talking to the service guy said relay rarely pump...anyway troubleshooting stuck in park....brake lights work fine so i ruled out break switch...thought shift lock solenoid took it off gave power works fine...whats my next step here its killin me cuz wife thinks this problem is sooo big we should sell the car.....btw its a great car, highly technical, but a great car....could anything near the MFR affect the park lock mechanism electronically??

04-07-2011, 9:37 PM	#23
LilBigWheel New Member Garage is empty, add now Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	sorry its a 1996 3.2 TL

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05-10-2006, 9:53 AM	#6
u2vex Registered Member Garage is empty, add now Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: SCV, CA Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Threadstarter	Yeah I know you gotta press on the brake to release it out of park and it worked fine before, but now it's just being a pain in the A**. but i'll take it to my local honda/acura specialist (not a stealership) and see if he can diagnose it and see what's up, I really don't have the time lately to get down and dirty. I'll let you all know what's up as soon as I do. Thanks for all your replies!!!!!!!!!

06-12-2006, 7:59 PM	#10
u2vex Registered Member Garage is empty, add now Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: SCV, CA Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Threadstarter	well I didn't get the diagnosis on this issue...been so busy and after I posted the last time, it started working fine and it has since then, I push on the brake a lil harder than before, I guess like some ppl said the sensor might have something to do with it. but best of luck with yours...

03-20-2009, 6:03 PM	#18
cvzillest Registered Member Garage is empty, add now Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Mar 2009 Age: 24 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	HOWW? I ALSO NEED HELP! thanks

01-05-2013, 9:23 PM
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