Hello everyone. I'm new to the AcuraZine community. I stumbled across this site while trying to figure out why I can't get my car out of park. From what I have read, it seems like it's a problem with the brake switch. My car starts like normal. The lights, radio, horn, and A/C all work. However, when I press the brake pedal and try to change gears, I can't. It's stuck. I had a friend check to see that the brake lights are on, and they are not. The car is currently sitting in a restaurant parking lot until I get it towed to the dealer. I have 2 questions:

1) Is there something that I can do to get the car running without having it towed? I'm not mechanically inclined...at all. So, step by step instructions would be GREATLY appreciated.

2) Is this something that should have been caught when the dealer did 60K maintenance? I just spent $500+ on FRIDAY and less than 24 hours later, my car is sitting in a parking lot unable to shift out of park. I'm livid, but I want to make a solid well-informed case before I head to the dealership (again) tomorrow.

Thank you for your help!

~H

***Edited to add: I have a 2003 Acura CL Type-S.

 

my car's been doing that lately, but i'm not sure about the brake lights.
I'm pretty sure its the brake switch.

oh yeah, right next to the shifter there's a little hole (has a small plastic piece on it to cover it up), remove that piece and insert something like a key in there. that will release the shift lock and u'll be able to remove the gear from park.

I believe this wont be a solid case against the dealer.

 

like he said bro.
stick it in- and that releases the gear lock.
so stick it in there.

 

You need to replace your brake switch. Its bad. Its a 25 dollar part, and takes 10 min to change. Look on the TL side there is a DIY on it.

To get your car to drive pop off the little cover onthe right side of the shifter, stick a key or flat screw driver into it and you can shift the shifter into gear. BUT if you dont have brake lights i wouldnt recommend driving without brake lights.

 

Thanks for the responses. I just can't believe that I would pay $500+ only to have my car stranded in a parking lot less than 48 hours later.

So, this isn't something that they check as part of the maintenance given the inordinate amount of problems people have with the brake switch? Is this just a case of horrible timing, or is there something that was checked/done during the 60k maintenance that could have caused this switch to lose contact?

Thanks.

~H

 

^ its just horrible timing.

 

Its just timing. The problems aren't large, and if its NOT acting up how are they going to check for a problem???

 

First check the "STOP" fuse under the hood, replace and you should be OK.