Shifter stuck in park..

[Towncivilian]

If your brake lights do not come on when you press the brake pedal, replace the stop light switch.

[smitj02]

I have the same problem as the OP in this thread. I also have an LE. I downloaded the FSM and in looking in the at.pdf I see the first pic that Pwnin O'Brien posted before he realized the OP had an LE and the posted the other pic. Where do I look to find that pic in an FSM? I think then I should be able to find the info I need to fix my problem.

[Towncivilian]

AT-265 is the only diagram for the shift interlock system for your 2003 as far as I can tell.

Welcome to NICO.

[smitj02]

FYI, I found the picture that Pwnin O'Brien posted on page AT-263 of the 2003 QX-4 manual. That picture (flat rather than curved, shift interlock switch on driver's side of shifter) matches my 2003 LE. I am going to try removing the trim/center console this weekend to see if I can get at that relay.

[Towncivilian]

Hm, odd that it's in the QX4 FSM and not in the Pathfinder FSM. Sorry for not finding it earlier, at least you found it! Good luck.

[smitj02]

Well, I got the console removed and now that I can see under the shifter it looks like what is in the Pathfinder Manual. I guess I am going to start following the steps from that FSM.

OK, I give up trying to post the picture here for now and go back outside to start following the FSM. I'll be back to try a pic again if I get stuck.

[smitj02]

Well, that didn't take long...

I am on step 3 on page AT-267 of the FSM. I stick the red lead from my multimeter into the seventh hole on what I think is the A/T device harness, press the brake pedal, and start moving the black lead all over the place looking for ground where I might get battery voltage. I can't get voltage anywhere. Does this mean that I'm not getting power and I should go to step 4, or that I am not finding ground? Also, I know that my brake lights are working, does that let me skip some steps?

[Towncivilian]

You can ground it on the metal plate surrounding the ODB-II port or the hood opener handle.

[smitj02]

OK I think I solved my picture posting problems:


created by picasa2html.com

I am trying to work through the steps in the FSM. I think I flunk step 3 because I get 0 volts between position 7 on the harness and the metal plate surrounding the OBD II connector with the ignition switch on. So I go to step 4, fuse is good, ignition switch seems OK (it starts the car etc.). I think all the other substeps in this step are covered by the fact that my stop lights still light when I hit the brakes so I move on to Step 5. I do get continuity between pin 6 and OBD port metal so on to Step 6. Now I am supposed to find and disconnect the harness for the park position switch. Is it behind the white plastic piece in the pic? Have I done anything wrong here?

I have to head out for a Halloween party soon, so I am going to leave this here and see if someone replies before I can start working on this again tomorrow morning.

[Towncivilian]

Page AT-109 shows the location of the PNP switch harness, I believe.

[smitj02]

I don't think that's the switch I'm looking for (the PNP switch which looks to be under the car on the transmission housing). The one I am looking for is the Park Position Switch which I think I did find behind the white plastic piece. I tested it and it does show continuity off and on when you press the switch. So now I think I need to test the solenoid. So I need to apply 12 volts to the solenoid and see if it clicks? How do folks normally do this? Let me know if some pictures would help show what I am talking about.

[abnrjd]

I really think it's your shift lock solenoid. I say this because I have replaced mine twice. You have to remove the center console and it's located on the passenger side just below the gear shift. It has a couple of mechanical arms on it. The solenoid itself has to be removed from a bracket and I reccomend removing your negative battery terminal before doing any electrical work. There is also an electrical connector which has to be removed from the solenoid also. The dealer wanted 1 kidney and part of a spleen for a new one so I went to 4 X 4 parts (online) ordered one for a third of the dealer price about $67 I installed it in about 30 minutes. As far as me having to replace mine twice I think I might have grounded out the first one by not dis connecting the neg battery terminal.The contact number is 954 971 3998 Hope this helps cause using a screw driver looks tacky, good luck!!

[smitj02]

Thanks abnrjd, I think it is the solenoid too. I tried to put 12 volts to it using a little 12volt A23 battery and it wouldn't move. I went to the dealer and he showed me what he would sell me. It is way more stuff than the solenoid. It includes all the plastic that the solenoid mounts to and the bit that gets pressed down for the override, plus the switch on the other side of the plastic. To install it I would need to remove three pins from the A/T device harness and then put the three new pins from the new part into the harness. I couldn't get the pins out in the lot at the dealer so I didn't buy the part then. Then I just talked to the guys at 4x4parts and they think they can sell me just the solenoid although they haven't come up with a price yet. I assume what they sold you was just the solenoid (i.e. the bit with the upside down writing on it in my pic above). Thanks for the tip on disconnecting the battery. I will have to remember that. So far I haven't done it because I think need it when doing all my tests. BTW, in case anyone is reading the whole thread. I did confirm after I posted the post above (the one with the pic in it) that I AM getting voltage in step 3, I just needed better contact with the wiring harness. This is a big part of what makes me think I need the solenoid.

[smitj02]

Thanks to everyone here, posting this for posterity.... I did buy the part from the dealer yesterday. Got it installed and the problem is solved! The hardest part was getting the pins removed from the wiring harness. I got a little jeweler's screwdriver in the front where the pins stick out and wiggled it until I could pull the wire from the back. Once I got the first one, the other two came a little easier. Part was around $100 from the dealer.

[cyron]

Mine ended up being the Cruise Control Fuse, which is not labeled.
It's the last fuse on the right labeled "Electronic Components" in the Glove Box fuse block.
It's a 10a Low Profile Mini-Fuse.

[enzoreno]

Thanks a lot.
I have a 2004 pathfinder se.
The problem was the switch on the break pedal,the one that reads " ACSD break switch " on the figure above.
Working now...

[abnrjd]

There is an access panel next to the gear shift, pry it out with a screw small tip screw driver and you can use a the same screw driver to insert into the hole to move the gearshift out of park. The shift lock solenoid is bad. I recommend buying an O.E. replacement part because I bought two aftermarket and both failed in a week.

[cristianoita1]

I have same problem with pathfinder 2013

but my fuse and relay for tail brakes are working!!!

what could be the problem?

[Nuwanthike]

Hi guys,
I have a nissan Serena van and i also having same problem. It has automatic transmission system and it is stuck in parking. I have not noticed any movement or sound when peddle break. So I think that the problem is because of blown "shift lock control relay". Could you please help me to identify the place, where this relay is located?

[barnaclebob]

Look at the diagrams in the previous posts. It looks like the relay is next to the shifter assembly.

[Nuwanthike]

Hi Barnaclebob,
I could not find such a relay according to the above diagram. I think it is not relevant to my vehicle model. Can you re-post some diagram please?

[Nuwanthike]

Can anyone help me to find the place where the "shift lock control relay" is located in "NIssan Serena"?

[Nuwanthike]

Where is the Automatic transmission relay located in Nissan serena(1997)?
Transmission liver stuck in park and the vehicle does not start. when i turn the key to start there is no any sound from the solenoid. but when the gear lever moves to neutral position, then it can be started. can you help me to solve this issue?