Shift out of Park issue
Shift out of Park issue
Hello all. I recently purchased a used (obviously) '01 Civic LX. It has intermittent issues with shifting out of park. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated! Below is more details to what is going on.
Vehicle: 2001 Civic LX Automatic
Problem: Intermittently can not shift out of park
Other Information: Brake lights come on. Most times I can shift out of park without problem. I can hold the brake down and repeatedly press the button on the shifter and it will eventually free up and I will be able to shift out of park. Using my spare key I can manually release it through the hole next to park.
Thank you!
Vehicle: 2001 Civic LX Automatic
Problem: Intermittently can not shift out of park
Other Information: Brake lights come on. Most times I can shift out of park without problem. I can hold the brake down and repeatedly press the button on the shifter and it will eventually free up and I will be able to shift out of park. Using my spare key I can manually release it through the hole next to park.
Thank you!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 812 










Re: Shift out of Park issue
when you press the brake, do you hear a click sound next to the shifter? there is a safety switch that locks the shifter if your foot is not on the brake. if switch is broken or intermittent problem, it can cause this to happen. you can take the console apart and leave the trim off so next time it happens you can see if the mechanism is moving. more than likely its that. if you are not hearing a click, then the shifter will be stuck in park. since you are able to release it using the key in the shifter, i doubt its a mechanical problem with the shifter itself.
Re: Shift out of Park issue
Thanks. The dealer also mentioned the shift interlock switch and solenoid. But like always they don't know without looking at it. I would prefer to purchase the part myself and replace it. Up until this point I have always had a manual transmission and never had these problems.
Re: Shift out of Park issue
OK, I just went down to the parking garage and tried it a few times. When it doesn't work, the brake lights still come on and I can still hear a clicking sound in the dash. Perhaps the shift-solenoid switch? I don't ever have issues starting so I don't think it would be the neutral safety switch.
Re: Shift out of Park issue
I am still at work so I couldn't take the cover off yet. It sounded like the dash but I am certain it is the solenoid because it clicked every time I pulled up on the shift button.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 15,179
Likes: 1,606
From: TN
Rep Power: 367 










Re: Shift out of Park issue
http://www.helminc.com/helm/homepage...q=helms+manual
or the good old haynes
http://www.haynes.com/
most of the cases we don't ask what is in the manual, we have it

I have both so i don't need to take the helms to get greasy for easier jobs.
Also have similar for my other car. worth every penny
Re: Shift out of Park issue
did you ever figure this issue out? I’m having the same problem. 2003 Honda Civic gets stuck in park. If I turn the car off and on once it gets stuck it is completely fine. I’m not sure if it s the neutral safety switch or the shift interlock switch and solenoid.
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9,641
Likes: 1,283
From: Barrie, ON Canada
Rep Power: 222 






Re: Shift out of Park issue
Original thread is 10 years old my guess would the interlock solenoid. Maybe the park contacts are getting worn out. Have you tried pushing the shifter farther into park?
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
danace99
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
12
Oct 17, 2015 02:51 PM
Un4givenshadow
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
3
May 31, 2012 07:23 PM





