MY SHIFT KNOB IS STUCK!!!

[KrissyJ30]

!!! I'M SOO LOST! MY CAR WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK! I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THERE WAS A SECURITY GEAR LOCK I COULD RELEASE BUT THERE ISN'T SO I'M A LITTLE LOST? HAS THIS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE WITH A J30? IS THIS COMMON? HOW CAN I GET MY CAR TO MOVE?? THE MOST RECENT THING I'VE DONE TO IT IS REPLACE THE BATTERY AND SPARK PLUGS... AND IN THE SAME HOUR, WHEN I WENT TO TEST DRIVE IT, IT WOULDN'T MOVE..... PLEASE HELP ME! I'M BEATING MYSELF UP TO FIND THE ANSWER
Modified by KrissyJ30 at 8:46 AM 12/29/2008

[yodawill2000]

Do you hear a click near the shifter when you press on the Brake ??

[driverdriver]

Welcome to NICO!!

Its been years since I opened up the transmission shift cover. The shift linkage is controlled by what I would describe as clips and what I describe as a "band" kind of like a a robust rubber band. I would suspect that either a clip is out of place or the band is broken(happens with age) or the band needs lubrication.

[KrissyJ30]

I can't hear much. I just know when I go to push down on the shift knob, it doesn't move. The button doesn't go down all the way, and it doesn't matter if I press on the breaks or not.... still doesn't move.... and where are these "clips" or "rubberbands" located? is it something I could do?

[GerryO]

Does the engine start and are you able to turn the steering wheel?

[KrissyJ30]

Yes. I'm able to do everything except move out of park.

[Gerardjg]

Remove the shift knob, decorative handle and the PRNDL box and look and see what is holding the shifter.

To do this pop out the push button you can get it out with a small screw driverthere are 2 molded clips on either side that hold it in place.

Remove the spring and the white plastic spring guide from the top of the shift rod.

If you look down in the handle you will see a nut I think it is 13 or 14 mm you will need a deep socket to unscrew this or try needle nose pliers. Once the nut is out the shift handle cover will come straight up and off.

Next remove the trim from around the shift handle this just pops up.

The brown box looking thing with PRND21 on it has 4 screws 1 in each corneruse a magnetic tip . After you get the screws out you can lift it slightly and turn it to see the shift lock or you can remove the lamp socket underneath and take it all the way out.

Now you should be able to see what is holding you back



I also emailed you the AT chapter

[xxcrashxx]

isnt there a fuse for the shift lock??? have you checked that fuse to see if its good or not??

[KrissyJ30]

Thanks for the great visual and instructions! i'm gonna try that today And i'm not sure if there's a fuse or not. i'll look though!

[KrissyJ30]

ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS?

[GerryO]

ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS?

Did a search for the words "stuck park" and it came back with this.

zerothread?id=104770

Your car wants to know that you have your foot on the BRAKE pedal, before it allows you to put the transmission in GEAR.

Are your brake lights working when you press on the brake pedal?

Let us know what you find.

Thanks!

[KrissyJ30]

yes. i see the brake lights. i was able to drive it, but right after i changed my battery to a new one, it got stuck in park...... I was told this before, so i was thinking maybe i should replace my brakes.......

[GerryO]

yes. i see the brake lights. i was able to drive it, but right after i changed my battery to a new one, it got stuck in park...... I was told this before, so i was thinking maybe i should replace my brakes.......

Just check switches that are associated with brake pedal inputs to the ECM or transmission.

[Infinitiguy19]

Have you tried the shift lock button next to the shifter knob?

Its only a temporary solution but better than no car at all.

Also read though the FSM to trouble shoot this prblem even further: http://Nicoclub.com/FSM

Good Luck, Paul

[KrissyJ30]

unfortunately, my car doesn't have a shift lock release button. I see I'm going to have to manually fix this......

[SteveTheTech]

A/T SHIFT LOCK SYSTEM

Diagnostic Procedure SYMPTOM 1:Selector lever cannot be moved from “P” position with key in ON position and brake pedal applied.Selector lever can be moved from “P” position with key in ON position and brake pedal released.Selector lever can be moved from “P” position when key is removed from key cylinder.

SYMPTOM 2:Ignition key cannot be removed when selector lever is set to “P” position.Ignition key can be removed when selector lever is set to any position except “P”.

1.CHECK KEY INTERLOCK CABLE

Check key interlock cable for damage.OK or NG

OK >> GO TO 2.

NG >> Repair key interlock cable. Refer to AT-296, "KEY INTERLOCK CABLE" .

2. CHECK SELECTOR LEVER POSITION

Check selector lever position for damage.OK or NGOK >> GO TO 3.NG >> Check selector lever. Refer to AT-289, "Adjustment of A/T Position" .

3. CHECK POWER SOURCE1. Turn ignition switch ON. (Do not start engine.)2. Check voltage between A/T device harness connector M47 terminal2 (Y/G) and ground.OK or NGOK >> GO TO 5.NG >> GO TO 4.

4. DETECT MALFUNCTIONING ITEM

Check the following items:1. Harness for short or open between ignition switch and A/T device harness terminal 2

2. 10A fuse [No.12, located in the fuse block (J/B)]

3. Ignition switch (Refer to PG-3, "POWER SUPPLY ROUTING CIRCUIT" .)OK or NGOK >> GO TO 5.NG >> Repair or replace damaged parts.Voltage: Battery voltage

A/T SHIFT LOCK SYSTEM5. CHECK INPUT SIGNAL A/T DEVICE-Turn ignition switch OFF. -Check voltage between A/T device harness connector M47 terminal 4 (OR) and ground.OK or NGOK >> GO TO 7.NG >> GO TO 6.

6. DETECT MALFUNCTIONING ITEMCheck the following items:1. Harness for short or open between battery and stop lamp switch harness connector 1

2. Harness for short or open between stop lamp switch harness connector 2 and A/T device harness connector 4

3. 10A fuse [No.20, located in the fuse block (J/B)]

4. Stop lamp switch– Check continuity between stop lamp switch harness connector terminals 1 (R/Y) and 2 (P/[/color=blue]L(yes blue)[/color]).

-Check stop lamp switch after adjusting brake pedal — refer to BR-6, "BRAKE PEDAL" .OK or NGOK >> GO TO 7.NG >> Repair or replace damaged parts.

7. CHECK GROUND CIRCUIT



1. Turn ignition switch OFF.

2. Disconnect A/T device harness connector.

3. Check continuity between A/T device harness connector terminal 1 (B) and ground.If OK, check harness for short to ground and short to power.OK or NGOK >> GO TO 8.NG >> Repair open circuit or short to ground or short to powerin harness or connectors.Voltage:Battery voltageBrake pedal depressed:0VBrake pedal released: Continuity should not exist.Brake pedal depressed: Continuity should exist.

A/T SHIFT LOCK SYSTEM

8. CHECK PARK POSITION SWITCH AND RELAY CIRCUIT (COIL SIDE)

Check continuity between A/T device harness connector terminals 1 (B) and 4 (OR).OK or NGOK >> GO TO 9.NG >>Replace park position switch or relay.Repair open circuit or short to ground or short to power in harness or connectors.

9. CHECK SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID AND RELAY CIRCUIT (POINT SIDE)1. Connect A/T device harness connector.

2. Turn ignition switch ON. (Do not start engine.)

3. Check shift lock solenoid and relay operation.OK or NGOK >> GO TO 10.NG >>Replace shift lock solenoid or relay.

Repair open circuit or short to ground or short to power in harness or connectors.

10. CHECK SHIFT LOCK OPERATION1. Connect A/T device harness connector.

2. Turn ignition switch from OFF to ON. (Do not start engine.)

3. Recheck shift lock operation.OK or NGOK >> INSPECTION ENDNG >> GO TO 11.

11. CHECK A/T DEVICE INSPECTION

1. Perform A/T device input/output signal inspection test.2. If NG, recheck harness connector connection.OK or NGOK >> INSPECTION ENDNG >> Repair or replace damaged parts.

I don't know if this helps much but this will show you what needs to be looked into to diagnose this. I have a sneeking suspicion you may have done something when replacing the battery. The easiest thing to look into would be the brake position switch. There should be about ~0.0080" clearance between the brake pedal switch and the pedal itself. Good Luck.