1991 Acura Integra Cannot remove Key until P lights up

DJOSBORNE

MEMBER
1991 ACURA INTEGRA
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
303,000 MILES

Hello - when the car is cold/cold weather - after starting and driving for a short time, placing the car back into P - Park - we have to wait up to 10 minutes before the red P lights up and then we can remove the key. Until it lights up, the key cannot be removed. We have no idea what the problem is, it's almost like the transmission is slow to move back into park or to register that it's in Park. Thanks in advance!

DJO

6 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi djosborne,

Thank you for the donation.

Seems the Park Neutral Position switch or its wiring circuit is bad somewhere or the adjustment is out of specs. When the P light does not come on, the key interlock solenoid is energized and this would prevent the key from being removed.

Does moving the gear shift to R and back into P a few times have any effect on the time it requires to get the P indicator to light up?

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Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 AT 11:21 AM

DJOSBORNE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Hi there - thank you for your reply - I would say yes, but it's hard to tell when cold. Rocking it back and forth from R to D seems to help if only to create more heat to accelerate the time required to light up the P when in Park. Driving time is the main helper - from your reply it sounds like it isn't necessarily a transmission issue then which makes me happy $$$$ :) However, those items you mentioned, are they expensive repairs? I'm due to have Acura do a $60 diagnostic in a couple of days, I'll mention to them to focus on what you suggested as possible cause. Thx vm,

Daryl

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Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 AT 11:32 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

No worries, it definitely is not from the trans assy.

Check the wiring connections of the PNP switch for contaminations and looseness. Switch is located under gear shift and can be adjusted.

When light does not come on, are you able to restart the engine?

Our database does not have the list price for the switch. The labor time for replacement is listed at 1.3 hours.

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Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 AT 11:54 AM

DJOSBORNE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Hi there - thank you - yes we can start the engine no problem - the only thing that the P light not coming on does is prevent us from removing the key and leaving the vehicle. I'll have those areas checked out - appreciate your time,

Daryl

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Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 AT 12:29 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

If you are able to start, the PNP is working correctly to enable the starter to be cranked and that could mean a fault in the interlock circuit.

I am not able to access my database due to connection problem so I am not able to provide you with any additional information. Will try to get it when I am able to access.