Can you please tell me why my Honda Civic won't shift from park?

M

Melissa S

New member
A few weeks ago I had brake work done. After that my car's emergency brake light went on an off by itself a few times. I also drove a while with the emergency brake on because I forgot I was messing with it to get the light to go off. Now a a week later it won't shift from park. It did this the other day, but then it started shifting again after that. Now it won't shift from park again, but makes a clicking sound when I press the button on the shift stick to try to change it out of park. Does anyone know why this is? Thank you
the brake lights are out, but why would it not shift and a few hours later shift and then the next day not shift again?
 
It is most likely that the sensor that tells the computer that your foot is on the brake is bad. To check for this, turn your key just out of the "lock" position, but do not turn the car on and see if it will shift from park (if you turn the car on, it will power the sensor and prevent it from shifting). To be able to drive it, just put it in neutral to start the engine, and select drive or reverse from there. Keep in mind that everytime you put it in park, you will have to use this procedure to get it out of park. Some cars have a small square that you pry off with a pocket screwdriver (located on the shifter) and inside is a little button that you can press with the pocket screwdriver and this will unlock the shifter. Hold down on the little button while shifting to the desired gear.
 
well, its hard to tell u whats the exact reason ..but it MAY BE the shift locker (the button on the shift stick)
this button when pressed should release the gear from P to other gears .. most probably its a broken plastic peace that needs to be replaced.

happened with me once.

hope thats the problem... because it wont cost u much if it is. :)
 
2 possibilities come to mind:

1st -- The brake light switch is malfunctioning. It would prevent you from shifting out of park because the car isn't receiving the signal that you are depressing the brake. This is located at the top of the brake pedal, where it goes up under the dash.

2nd -- The shifter guard/guide is bound up and is jamming your shifter. If it is, it would look deformed. This is the black plastic that covers the area around the shifter itself.

Hope I was able to help.
 
well, its hard to tell u whats the exact reason ..but it MAY BE the shift locker (the button on the shift stick)
this button when pressed should release the gear from P to other gears .. most probably its a broken plastic peace that needs to be replaced.

happened with me once.

hope thats the problem... because it wont cost u much if it is. :)
 
i doubt it has anything to do with the brakes or the shop that did them. my family drives with the brake on sometimes too. although the extra strain may have caused your transmission to get hotter than usual, but that is only if you drove for a long distance with your brake on and by that time you pretty much would have fried your brakes.
odds are that it is just do to high miles. how many miles are on the car?
or perhaps neglect of maintenance. did you change your transmission fluid regularly?
either way, take it to a shop and see what they say... if you can drive it, take it to a few shops and hear more than one opinion.
 
well, its hard to tell u whats the exact reason ..but it MAY BE the shift locker (the button on the shift stick)
this button when pressed should release the gear from P to other gears .. most probably its a broken plastic peace that needs to be replaced.

happened with me once.

hope thats the problem... because it wont cost u much if it is. :)
 
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