Shift Lock Release -help!

gbae007 · 04-03-2007, 03:26 AM

My girlfriend's got a 1997 Acura CL V6. Today the "Shift Lock Release" became engaged for what appears to be no reason. That causes you to not be able to shift out of P without a spare key being inserted into the shift lock release hole.

What would cause this and what are the fixed? Thanks....

Tastycakes · 04-03-2007, 05:00 AM

So its stuck in park? or its just working right?

Either way you can take the panel by the shifter off and rig it (just a button that gets pushed down)

gbae007 · 04-03-2007, 10:48 AM

It's stuck in park unless something is inserted into the shift lock release hole.

What would cause the shift lock to be engaged though? I don't want to just rig it if it will cause long term problems.

NIGHTHAWKSI · 04-03-2007, 10:52 AM

you dont need a key...if it is like the new civic a small flat screwdriver will do the job

**NBPRudy** · 04-03-2007, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbae007

It's stuck in park unless something is inserted into the shift lock release hole.

What would cause the shift lock to be engaged though? I don't want to just rig it if it will cause long term problems.

I have only heard of this once before.Check your brake light switch at the pedal.

honda11 · 04-03-2007, 02:00 PM

This could be the brake sensor by the pedal as suggested (if it doesn't recognize your foot is on the brake it won't let you release the shifter from park)

Could also be the shift lock release sensor inside the console. Not sure about the CL but this is where it is in the Integra.

Ever have problems getting the key out of the ignition? I was having this intermittently in my Integra in cold weather and people kept telling me it could be my ignition switch.....
When we got those two weeks of zero weather I couldn't get my shifter out of park either.

I finally put the two problems together and noticed when this was happening the "P" light on the dash wasn't lighting up. If I would would wait a few seconds (or jiggle the shifter) the P light would come on and I could move the shifter and also get my key out of the accessory position.

It could be a loose or dirty connection, you could try that first. With some research I found this is a problem with a lot of older Integras so I just bought the switch for around $59 from Acura. It's a real PITA problem that I don't want to deal with next winter.

dpfolie · 04-03-2007, 02:36 PM

I would go to the proper forum and see if anybody else has had this problem. After all this is the 8th generation civic forum.

gbae007 · 04-03-2007, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBPRudy

I have only heard of this once before.Check your brake light switch at the pedal.

I've heard that brake light switch is the likely culprit from the Acura forum. What does that do exactly?

Thanks NBPRudy!

gbae007 · 04-03-2007, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honda11

This could be the brake sensor by the pedal as suggested (if it doesn't recognize your foot is on the brake it won't let you release the shifter from park)

Could also be the shift lock release sensor inside the console. Not sure about the CL but this is where it is in the Integra.

Ever have problems getting the key out of the ignition? I was having this intermittently in my Integra in cold weather and people kept telling me it could be my ignition switch.....
When we got those two weeks of zero weather I couldn't get my shifter out of park either.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try that. It DID coincide with a particularly cold day. You are the man.

**NBPRudy** · 04-03-2007, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbae007

I've heard that brake light switch is the likely culprit from the Acura forum. What does that do exactly?

Thanks NBPRudy!

You know how you have to put your foot on the brake to go from park to drive/reverse.

The switch sends the signal telling the computer that you actually pressed the brake to change gears.

If the switch is faulty it won't send a signal and you won't be able to get the car out of park.

04-03-2007, 03:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
gbae007 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 27 Posts: 878 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Shift Lock Release -help! My girlfriend's got a 1997 Acura CL V6. Today the "Shift Lock Release" became engaged for what appears to be no reason. That causes you to not be able to shift out of P without a spare key being inserted into the shift lock release hole. What would cause this and what are the fixed? Thanks....

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04-03-2007, 05:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tastycakes Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Suburbs of Chicago Age: 25 Posts: 2,644 Mike iTrader: 0 / 0%	So its stuck in park? or its just working right? Either way you can take the panel by the shifter off and rig it (just a button that gets pushed down)

04-03-2007, 10:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
gbae007 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 27 Posts: 878 iTrader: 0 / 0%	It's stuck in park unless something is inserted into the shift lock release hole. What would cause the shift lock to be engaged though? I don't want to just rig it if it will cause long term problems.

04-03-2007, 10:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
NIGHTHAWKSI Senior Member Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: long island Age: 23 Posts: 14,735 Ian iTrader: 13 / 100%	you dont need a key...if it is like the new civic a small flat screwdriver will do the job

04-03-2007, 02:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
honda11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 107 iTrader: 0 / 0%	This could be the brake sensor by the pedal as suggested (if it doesn't recognize your foot is on the brake it won't let you release the shifter from park) Could also be the shift lock release sensor inside the console. Not sure about the CL but this is where it is in the Integra. Ever have problems getting the key out of the ignition? I was having this intermittently in my Integra in cold weather and people kept telling me it could be my ignition switch..... When we got those two weeks of zero weather I couldn't get my shifter out of park either. I finally put the two problems together and noticed when this was happening the "P" light on the dash wasn't lighting up. If I would would wait a few seconds (or jiggle the shifter) the P light would come on and I could move the shifter and also get my key out of the accessory position. It could be a loose or dirty connection, you could try that first. With some research I found this is a problem with a lot of older Integras so I just bought the switch for around $59 from Acura. It's a real PITA problem that I don't want to deal with next winter.

04-03-2007, 02:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
dpfolie Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 39 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I would go to the proper forum and see if anybody else has had this problem. After all this is the 8th generation civic forum.