Can't shift out of park

I own a 98' Accord 4dr automatic. I love the car and have had it for
some time now. Other than the typical "drivers side door lock switch
not working" issue, my only problem is with the shifter. There are
times after I put the car into "Park", I am not able to press the
button on the shifter knob to put it back into gear right away.
Somestimes it takes several tries over several minutes before I hear a
click and it will allow me to press the knob in. I discovered that if I
rev the engine a little, it sometimes helps the situation. Now I just
leave it in neutral and use the parking brake to park the car. Has
anyone ever heard of this happening before? Is it the transmission?

 

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Honda just recalled about a billion vehicles for a similar adjustment
problem (not _staying_ in PARK).

Your owner's manual says you can use a KEY to release the shifter if it
sticks. THe correct fix is to get the shifter cable length adjusted (at
the shifter end).

Look at these TSB's: Do a SEARCH at www.tegger.com for TSB's.

'Curly'

 

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Here's the PDI sheets for the newer Accords, explaining about releasing
the shift lever. . .You owner's manual is similar:

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/tsb/accord/x02-051e.pdf

'Curly'

 

The safety switch that prevents it from moving out of park unless your
foot is on the brake is broken. You're putting your foot on the brake,
but the safety mechanism isn't releasing.

That "click" you describe is the safety mechanism disengaging.

 

Are you stepping on the brake pedal when trying to shift out of Park?

Do your brake lights work?

 

Happened to my 1997 Accord LX auto wagon. Was the brake light switch
in my case.

The switch has two sections. One functions when you barely touch the
brake pedal. I believe this section actuates a solenoid (which also
could be the problem) that lets you move the shifter. I think this
first section also ties into the cruise control to deactivate it when
you tap the pedal. Pressing farther on the pedal closes the second
section which lights the brake lights. I fixed it by removing the
switch (located under the dash behind the brake pedal arm) and
squirting a bunch of contact cleaner in it. Was going to replace it
later, but car got totalled forcing me to buy a brand new CR-V.

As other posters have noted, there can be other causes for this
problem. I don't believe any should be particularly expensive to fix.

Steve Noll | The Used Hi Tech Equipment Dealer Directory:
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