Hi all,

I recently told a three hour drive and at the end of the drive, I noticed that I couldn't get the shifter pass Reverse to park the car. Luckily I had a screwdriver handy and was able to use the manual release. After looking at the shifter, I noticed that the gears is a little out of place especially the Reverse (photo attached).

I opened up the cover and cleaned off the dust between the black plastics and the shift rod. While I had the cover off, there were no problems whatsoever in moving to any gear. However, once I had the cover back on, it was 50/50 between a smooth Reverse/Parking or I can't get pass Neutral to get to Reverse.

I read somewhere that replacing/cleaning the brake switch might solve the Reverse/Park gear situation, but would it solve the shifter alignment issue?

Thanks in advance,

-- Sam

 

It looks like I can't edit my post? If I can, sorry for adding an extra post.

Here's an update: After taking the car out during lunch, I noticed that the gears are stuck in D4 when I tried to move it to neutral. So I moved the shifter to tiptronic mode and low and behold the check engine light came on along with the TCS light. It was also flashing D4 while D3 was on. I am going to bring it to autozone and have the code(s) read, but it might be the actual shifter unit.

-- Sam

 

Your range sensor is either loose or damaged. If your brake lights are working when you press the brake pedal then the brake pedal switch is ok.

The range sensor is located by the drivers side wheel well, the tire needs to be removed and a cover as well to gain access.

 

excellent info Erik

those who live outside of California can get free code readings done at most parts stores

Ziners in Ca have to buy their own obdiII or hit up a local, I have a ziner within 5 miles each direction of me!

 

Yeah, clean and lube up the shifter mechanisms and check the solenoid underneath the console.
If that fails, go up under the wheelwell as ErickUa5 suggested, and check the gear position switch operation.

 

The shift selector cable can get really stiff, and act like this as well. It's usually corrosion, typically ok, except at the very end when you put it into park, but it normally gets this way over time, rather than suddenly as you describe.

 

So the code came back: p1709 - Transmission Range Switch. Thanks Erick!

-- Sam

 

Yeah, that ErickUa5 guy really is on top of his game and has been really helpful to fellow Ziners.

 

Glad to know it worked out for you.
After so much help from here its only fair to give back and some more.

 

ok, so I replaced the sensor but still have the same problem (I was on vacation last week ). I also noticed that it won't go to park now (had it on neutral when I replaced it) so I can't turn the car on. I will try to open it back up and maybe move the sensor a little clockwise to see if it will take the park? Could it be where the transmission is touching the sensor is loose?

This is the only video I found for the DIY, at 10:20 it shows the park position.

-- Sam

 

Check all the fuses, one could of blown with the last defective range sensor.

 

I checked the fuses and they look good.

What I noticed after taking the wheel back out is that the transmission piece doesn't really push the sensor all the way into Park. I tried tricking the sensor into thinking that it was at Park by move the sensor to the left and hook it back on the transmission, but it would move it out of Park when I tried to bolt it back on. Removing the central column now to check the shifter, etc...

At this point I just want to get it to register Park so I can start the car and run to a shop, lol...

-- Sam

 

Try disconnecting the cable from the trans end, and see if you can put it into park by hand. It should start in neutral as well.

 

Could it be that the shifter cable is slackened/loosened? I tried to move the sensor to match the gears and noticed that it takes longer now to try to get to park than before.

If I went to physically push the shifter farther up it will engage Park. However, if I just let it shift normally, it won't engage. I am going to put the old sensor back on and see if it's the same thing.

-- Sam

 

It turned out to be a loose shifter cable going into the transmission. It may very well be the range sensor but I am too lazy to pull the new one back out and pop the old one back in. I will also be replacing the solenoid underneath the console.

Thanks Paul for coming over and show me the diagnostic steps!
https://acurazine.com/forums/ny-nj-320/honda-acura-mechanic-north-nj-883797/

-- Sam

 

I have a acura rl don that problem 96 I don't kno were the linkage is from the cable do u happen to kno or can help me my car go in other gears except park d3 an low gears