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I'm brand new to this forum and was hoping someone could help me out.

I just bought a used 1990 Civic Sedan EX with an automatic tranny. Anyway the problem I am having is sometimes when I shift into park I can't get the key out. I noticed when this happens the "P" on the dash does not light up so I'm thinking that somehow the car does not know it's in park. Also, when this happens the shifter is locked in the park position, the only way I can get it out of park is but using the spare key to push the shift release slot. The past couple of times this happened I kept jiggling the shifter and working the key and it came out. This morning it didn't work and I couldn't get the key out. Oh yea, one more thing, this morning was pretty cold out, I don't know if that has anything to do with it but it seems like this problem happens more when it's cold????

If someone has some advice can you please help asap, right now the car is parked with the key in it, just waiting to be stolen.

Thanks in advance,
Erich

 
Rep Power: 256

my dodge ram does it since i put a new tranny in. the lnkage gets loose and the lock backs off just enough that when then shifter is put to park, the tranny selector isnt actually in park. i have to push my shifter up about 1/4 inch past park to get the key out. im too lazy to crawl back under it and adjust it. im not sure how to adjust the linkage on an auto civic, but i drive a manual. im pretty sure if you adjust the linkage it will fix it. there should be a screw or something that tightens down on the gear selector on the tranny. if you loosen it up and push the selector all the way into park, and pull on your linkage and tighten the lock back down, it should fix it.

 
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do u have a aftermarket shifter??? like those automatic razo/momo ones???


if u do, then you need to make the shifter higher because the button is not fully releasing....so the key wont come