Versa shift lock solnoid

[vickib2]

...that's what the mechanic said needs replaced on my 2007 Versa hatchback after it stranded me because it wouldn't shift out of park. The AAA guy who saved me showed me how to push a ballpoint pen into the little hole (shift lock hole?) that made it possible to shift it out of park and drive home.

I went to my local mechanic (NOT a Nissan dealership), and he said that he can't just replace the solnoid but must replace the entire gear shift, and it will cost $650. In the meantime, he did SOMETHING that allows me to shift normally again. I'm not sure exactly what he did; all I know is that he removed a piece of plastic, about the size of my index finger, and showed it to me. He said it was a "safety mechanism" and as long as I had no children riding in the front seat with me who could bump the gear shift, I didn't really need it. However, I would like to have all the safety features I can get!

After he gave me the price of $650, he said "it's nothing you HAVE to have fixed. I don't know if I would pay that much for that kind of repair if it was my car."

So....my questions are:

1. Is it really true that I have to buy a whole new gear shift ? $650??? (that's parts and labor)

2. Should I have let him remove that little piece of plastic that allows me to shift again? He pointed out to me that I can change gears without putting my foot on the brake (he wasn't telling me this was a good thing....he was just showing me what removing the little piece of plastic did).

3. Should I get this done immediately? Or ever?

Thanks so much.
I am clueless.

Vicki
p.s. He has not charged me ANYTHING, even though he spent about an hour trying to figure out what was wrong.

[gekko668]

A solenoid is a device that get magnetized, pull back the safety mechanism so you could shift when you press down the brake pedal. It should cost around $130 and i don't think you need to change the entire gear shifter.

this is what most vehicle solenoid look like
http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en ... a=N&tab=wi

I think this is the actual solenoid.
http://www.courtesyparts.com/31940n-sol ... cPath=6382&


Personally I would go to the nissan dealership and ask how much the shifter solenoid cost. If it cost around $100 then I would buy it and have a mom and pop mechanic put in. Personally I dont think you need change the entire gear shift and I also think the mechanic is up selling.

I used to have a '90 camry with a dead shift solenoid and it wont impact the car or anything except annoy you every time you have to shift from park to drive or reverse. Eventually it becomes a habit but since it is a new car I would get the solenoid replace but not at a 650 dollar.

I hope it helps.

[vickib2]

Thanks so much for the reply. I haven't gotten any others! I still have not gotten this fixed. I can't believe my mechanic is overselling me, although I can't rule that out. He has always been honest with me. He actually said "I wouldn't even get it fixed if I were you." I don't think much about it now, except every now and then. I just shift into drive and park like I always have.

Is this just a safety mechanism to keep your car from shifting out of gear without your foot being on the brake? That wouldn't happen, would it, unless you hit the gear shift? So, I'm safe? I don't have any small children riding with me, and I've never knocked a car out of gear while I was driving before!

Don't all cars have this? How come everyone I ask about it (friends/family -- not repair people) says "hmmm...I've never heard of that. I don't think my car has that."

thanks again!
Vicki