Can't shift out of park?

KKIMBLE

MEMBER
1993 HONDA PRELUDE
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
119,250 MILES

I can't shift the car out of park after starting it. Not without using the release anyway. The horn and brake light, including center brake lights work. Since this started, the key is also difficult to remove from the ignition once the car is turned off, and now the warning beep starts once the keys is removed, as if the key is still in the ignition. Not sure if it is the Brake interlock switch or the Neutral safety switch. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi kkimble,

Thank you for the donation.

There is a possibility of 2 separate problems.

The chime not turning off indicates the key interlock switch is not working correctly.

The brake lights working means the shift interlock malfunction is not due to it.

When the brake pedal is depressed with ignition switch turned to ON, do you hear any clicking under the gear shift console? If no, you need to check for missing power supply or a stuck/faulty solenoid.
Is the P indicator light showing correctly when lever is on park?

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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 10:20 AM

KKIMBLE

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The indicator does show park, and works through all of the gears. Car starts in Park and Neutral. No, I do not hear any clicking from under the center console. What solenoid are we talking about?

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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 9:08 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hewre are the description of the syatem and component locations.

SHIFT & KEY INTERLOCK SYSTEMS
Shift Interlock System
Shift interlock system prevents shift lever from being moved from Park unless brake pedal is depressed and accelerator is in idle position. In case of a malfunction, shift lever can be released by placing ignition key in release slot near shift lever. Voltage is provided to shift lock solenoid when ignition is on.

When brake pedal is depressed, battery voltage is applied to the TCM from brakelight switch. With accelerator pedal in idle position, a low voltage is applied to the TCM from the throttle position sensor. The TCM then supplies voltage to shift lock circuit in the interlock control unit. When A/T gear position switch is in Park position, interlock control unit then operates shift lock solenoid by controlling the ground circuit. When shift lock solenoid is energized, shift lever is released and can be moved.

Shift lock solenoid is mounted on driver's side of shift lever. See Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 . The A/T gear position switch is located on side of shift lever. Interlock control unit is located above driver's side kick panel and contains a MD7Gray 8-pin electrical connector.

Key Interlock System
Key interlock system prevents ignition key from being removed from ignition lock assembly unless shift lever is in Park. Voltage is provided to key interlock switch from No. 46 fuse (15-amp) in engine compartment fuse box. Engine compartment fuse box is located on passenger's side rear corner of engine compartment, near firewall. When ignition key is installed in ignition lock assembly, key interlock switch closes, providing voltage to key interlock solenoid and interlock control unit.

If shift lever is not in Park, interlock control unit activates key interlock solenoid by completing the ground circuit, preventing ignition key from being removed from ignition lock assembly. Key interlock switch and solenoid are located on ignition lock assembly. See Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 . Interlock control unit is located above driver's side kick panel and contains a MD7Gray 8-pin electrical connector.