cant shift out of park

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

 

Do the brake lights work?

 

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.

 

Yes

 

No tranny work in a year. and that was just a drain and flush.
AER

 

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

 

So, instead of replacing the solenoid, I could jsut replace it with
really no ill effects right?
AER

 

I mean, I could just REMOVE it with no ill effects
AER

 

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!

 

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

 

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????

 

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

 

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

 

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,.

 

Sounds like a conflict of interest.

 

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..