Hey there. I just performed this quick-fix on a 2001 Nissan Maxima. The process is not quite as described. Here is how to do it very simply. (SEE PICTURE AT THE END)
1. Open the ashtray, remove the insert and take out the screw underneath it.
2. Open the armrest and take out the screw and the bottom.
3. With a flat-head screwdriver, pop up the trim around the shifter (NOT the trim with P-R-N-D-D1-D2). This is the trim that curves upward around the ashtray. DON'T pull it off. There are wires connecting the cigarette lighter and flasher button. Simply hang it to the passenger's side, which is away from where you'll be working. Remove the two screws that are connecting the center console to the thermostat trim.
4. On the drivers side, pull the side of the center console away from dash trim.
5. Put e-brake on and
shift into drive. Next to the shifter there is a little plastic tab. Pop it out and place a screwdriver in there. Gently push down and keep it down.
Shift out of park into D (drive). Keep the screwdriver handy but you don't have to keep pushing down.
6. Gently pull up on the shifter trim from the front until it pops up. While holding it up, try to pull up on the other end. You won't be able to pull up the other end as high because it will bump the console.You do not have to disassemble anything else from this point on.
7. Get on your knees and bend down in front of the drivers seat, looking at the side of the console. If you pull the side dash trim that you disconnected back a little and shine a light in, you will see everything. While you have the light shining in, put the screwdriver back into the slot and gently push down. You will see exactly how it functions and pushes the white, spring-loaded tab downward. All you have to do is stick something in there to keep it pushed down.
8. Will a wire tie work? Sort of. Use a 40-50mm thick wire tie, not a dinky little thing you use to hold wires behind your TV. A thick wire tie that will be stiff. Cut it 4.5" long and fold it over. Hold the two cut ends with your hand and that is the end that will go in facing the front of the car. The loop is what will get wedged in to hold the white button down. The white button needs to be pushed down at least 1/4" in order to release the shifter. This is why you make a loop so it creates that 1/4" gap. If you put the wire tie FLAT as pictured above, it will do nothing. I would recommend having a friend hold a flash light above the shifter and shine it down. It will take you several tries to get it to fit properly. Once you look at it, you will quickly realize that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to do it. You will probably think of many other things you could shove in there other than a wire tie. That's it. Now just put everything together!
I will try this fix on my wife's 06 G35 sedan. I will keep you posted.
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