cant shift out of park

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Al, Mar 5, 2005.

  1. Al

    Al Guest

    Hey guys, quick question for you.
    91 honda civic auto HB. Been a great car, but now when I put the key
    in, start the car and press the brake, I cant shift out of park. I
    have to use the shift lock release next to the shifter to be able to
    get going. Any ideas? It was a very sudden thing...
    AER
     
    Al, Mar 5, 2005
    #1
  2. Al

    Jafir Elkurd Guest

    Do the brake lights work?
     
    Jafir Elkurd, Mar 6, 2005
    #2
  3. Al

    Jason Guest

    Have you or anyone else work on the transmission in the past couple of months?
    If it was a mechanic, take it back and tell him the problem.
    It's possible that the problem is related to the transaxle control
    solenoid. You might have to replace it. If you have never before done any
    work on transmissions, I advise you to take it to your favorite mechanic.
     
    Jason, Mar 6, 2005
    #3
  4. Al

    Al Guest

    Yes

     
    Al, Mar 7, 2005
    #4
  5. Al

    Al Guest

    No tranny work in a year. and that was just a drain and flush.
    AER
     
    Al, Mar 7, 2005
    #5
  6. Al

    Remco Guest

    On an integra you can override the lock on the shifter by putting a key
    in the little slot in front of the shifter -- it might be similar on
    your civic.

    A solenoid normally controls this lock and the key just manually pushes
    the lever. That solenoid might be broken or not driven. It can also be
    in need of adjustment.

    Remco
     
    Remco, Mar 7, 2005
    #6
  7. Al

    Al Guest

    So, instead of replacing the solenoid, I could jsut replace it with
    really no ill effects right?
    AER
     
    Al, Mar 7, 2005
    #7
  8. Al

    Al Guest

    I mean, I could just REMOVE it with no ill effects
    AER
     
    Al, Mar 7, 2005
    #8
  9. Al

    Stephanie7 Guest

    So- ive had to put the key in the shift lock release to get the casr
    out of shift......

    AND NOW my brakes dont work- is that related???

    HELP!
     
    Stephanie7, Apr 19, 2005
    #9
  10. Al

    remco Guest

    So- ive had to put the key in the shift lock release to get the casr
    I bet it is the switch going to your brake pedal - it controls the brake
    lights and a solenoid (= a mechanical electrically control switch) to your
    shifter. It makes sure that you have to put your foot on the brake before
    you shift, as a precaution.
    A wire might have gotten knocked loose or the switch may actually be bad -
    you might be able to see what is wrong by looking up from where the pedals
    are.

    Remco
     
    remco, Apr 19, 2005
    #10
  11. Al

    Stephanie7 Guest

    so then if i took it to a brake place n had a Diagnotstic test done-
    they should be able to find the problem right like if it were a wiring
    problem????
     
    Stephanie7, Apr 20, 2005
    #11
  12. Al

    remco Guest

    so then if i took it to a brake place n had a Diagnotstic test done-
    They may be able to find it, although usually they only do brakes. They may
    be able to fix it, but you'll be paying for their ignorance of electrical
    things and most likely overcharge you. It is not a reflection of their
    competance of doing brakes - The problem is really an electrical one (it
    could be the switch, it could be a wire, it could even be just a fuse).

    Do you know anyone that is handy with electrical things and knows how to
    troubleshoot problems? A person like that would be able to find it pretty
    quickly.

    Remco
     
    remco, Apr 20, 2005
    #12
  13. Al

    Guest Guest

    my experience with these cars is the computer burns a circuit and the shift
    lock release quits working. its easy to find out and takes 10 minutes to
    find out ...1 10 mm socket and a philips head screwdriver required. under
    passenger floorboard <carpet> you will find 2 computers computer on right
    side is trans control computer. remove 4 10 mm nuts from false floorboard
    unplug computer turn plate over remove 3 10 mm bolts attaching computer to
    false floorboard remove 4 philips screws and open up box . look in bottom
    corner for burnt electronic components....ASE certified transmission
    tech...dont buy a new computer for your car repair yours ask me for info

    http://www.autoforumz.com/eform.php?p=531058
     
    Guest, Apr 21, 2005
    #13
  14. Al

    Randolph Guest

    Interesting experience, seeing as neither the ECU not the TCU has any
    control over the shift lock solenoid. No brake lights and a shift lock
    solenoid that won't disengage is pretty easy to diagnose.
    You do this for a living? I see your posts in a large number of
    automotive news groups,.
     
    Randolph, Apr 21, 2005
    #14
  15. Al

    Jim Yanik Guest

    Sounds like a conflict of interest.
     
    Jim Yanik, Apr 22, 2005
    #15
  16. I had the same problem a week ago and worked through it successfully. See
    my question on April 16. Anyhow, I checked the brake switch, the bulbs in
    the brake lights and finally checked the fuses for the horn and the stop
    under the hood. Lo and behold, there was no fuse in there at all.. the 20
    amp fuse was missing from this car that, to me, was just three days old.
    Anyway, I found a spare 20 amp fuse, put it in and voila, the horn worked,
    the brake lights worked and I was able to shift simply out of park with no
    trouble. Case closed, an epiphany experience for the cost and time of a
    spare fuse that I already had in my possession... Check those fuses, even
    replace it if you have any doubts....At least before you take it to a
    mechanice. A sidenote here... a local mechanic mentioned that he has only
    replace two solenoids on Honda in recent years, and both were vehicles with
    more than 100,000 miles....
    Good luck with your problems and I hope they have happy endings like mine..
     
    Phillip Fiorini via CarKB.com, Apr 25, 2005
    #16
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