I've done a search but the post that was asking my exact question was never responded to.

Anyway, I can't get my car out of park. This happened as I started the car up to drive up the driveway from the mailbox (our driveway is long and I had just gotten home from work). I had to use the key in the release and start in neutral. I played with it when I got myself parked and it was still acting up. Is there anything I should pull apart and check? Having to start in neutral is going to get old...

It's a '95 DX auto. Tranny fluid was replaced about a month ago.

Thanks.

 

miles? Condition of car?

 

Oh, sorry, I've got about 163k. Engine-wise, it's in good shape (note I don't say excellent) and it gets attention when it needs it.

 

Well im really not sure. I would check the tranny fluid level, definetly jack the car up and take a look @ the trans and see if anything noticeable is broken/not right. Then try taking the center console out, removing the shifter box cover and see whats stuck in there. Ive never heard of this problem before and the tranny wasnt blown to $hit. Is it slipping in gear? Or this is the only problem?

 

I know this is gonna sound stupid, but I am a big fan of simplest things first...

You know you have to have the brake depressed to get it out of park, right?

 

when u put your foot on the brakes, there is a switch the allows you to get out of park. it could be that the switch is going bad. when you start it, put your foot on the brakes and listen for a slight click at the shifter.

 

Yup, it's still jammed up with the brake pedal depressed.

ntx, is this the shift lock solenoid you're referring to? I flipped through my repair manual and that sounds like the likely culprit. Unfortunately, the procedure for testing it is over my head so I'm going to get it to a gearhead family member and have him check it.

 

You are correct, shellebelle. If you're not comfortable checking it, yeh, take it to someone else. Don't mess around when it comes to the tranny problems if you don't know what you're doing.

 

yeah.

if you can use the key and get out of park but it wont without it, that would be the first thing to check.

 

Well, the little brat is shiftlocking just fine now. I just had to let it sit a second night and it's back to normal. The next time we're tearing something up in there we'll test the solenoid and replace it if it's getting a little slow.

Dumb car. Some days I just can't figure it out.