I have a 2003 MDX which always was a little tough to shift, but ever since coffee was spilled in the console its an absolute bear, which has now morphed into being unable to get it in/out of Park.

I can go in/out of Park with the manual override, but my wife wont drive it until I fix it (which means she drives my TL, and Im not happy about that).

Problem -- car goes through R-N-D5 tough but fine, binds up at D4 and lower and in fact I cannot get into those gears. Car will not go completely into P, I cannot quite get there (car will click and roll on a hill, even if dash says I'm in P), when I do get in/around P I need to override to get it out of that gear and then I start the car in N.

Fix attempts -- not much. Took console apart tried spraying with WD40, was better for a week or so but then back to lousy. Compressed air, no improvement.

I'm not clear whether the trans cable is binding or if its the shifter or both. Im deathly afraid to undo the trans cable (not clear how much tension there is on it, if any), not clear how to approach.

Any simple suggestions would be appreciated, I'd like my TL back. :-)

-- Frank

 

This response may be a bit late, but...

Check the shift linkage to the transmission. It is on the drivers side, behind the wheel well splash guard on the 03-06 MDX. The linkage may be corroded and would require disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly.

It's an easy job, which took me under an hour to complete with the removal of the front wheel, and wheel well protection.