I have recently had my tranny replaced as somehow water got inside after a thunderstorm, and fried everything. Since the moment I've had the car back, at least once a day my key will not come out of the ignition. So I have to put it to 'accessory' and shift it into drive before the key releases. Every time this happens, I notice that when it is put into 'accessory' or 'on', BOTH the drive and park indicators light up on the dash. I took it back into the dealership, where they proceeded to shatter the base of my shifter, and then blamed it on me, and said it was the cause of my problem (even though its pretty obvious that a few little loose plastic pieces isn't going to cause an issue like that). Well, after having *their* mistake fixed, the problem hasn't gone away. So does anyone have any suggestions as to what the real problem is? I was thinking maybe something in the electrical system of the ignition is being grounded/shorted, or a loose linkage somewhere in the mechanical system of the tranny itself...?

 

so it works at some times, but not of course all the time. is that correct ??

 

Yes, that's correct...

 

sounds to me like something mechanical; like a warped key or the ignition switch (but mostly just guessing) is bad.
keys are to be lubed with graphite- nothing else.
could try that. can get it at wal-mart (if you have one around)

 

There is a sensor in the shifting console called the "automatic transaxle gear postion switch", to the right of the shifter. I would check that out, since you say it shows both drive and park. I'd bet the car wont let you pull the key when in gear, and this switch is giving mixed signals. Other thoughts, linkage improperly adjusted? I really need to take a look at mine too, the light under the shift indicator hasnt worked since I got the car.

Edit: Just had another thought, the transmission displays error codes thru the "D4" dash indicator. Perhaps it has a stored error code. Refer to the manual here to pull a code.

http://hondatech.info/downloads/Auto/Manuals/

 

in response to fglaustin, I know its not a warped key, as I've tried 3 different keys with it.

 

i've seen locks needing lubrication (the malfunction not caused by a defective key).
think lolFreq has the best idea

 

All the Hondas I have seen with working gear indicators on the dash always show D4 (or OD in the Element) lit on the first few seconds before start up.