1997 Acura TL Shifter Won't Move

SEANLIEDER

MEMBER
1997 ACURA TL
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

My car will start fine, but when I try to shift the stick from park to reverse or drive it won't leave the park position. It only seems to do this when it is really cold outside or really hot outside. I have found away around it though. There is a key slot right next to the stick and if I have the car off I can stick the key in and it will release it from park and I can put it in neutral and then start my car. Put as soon as I put it back into park, I have to do this all over again. I shouldn't have to do this. What is wrong?

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 AT 12:31 AM

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi seanlieder,

The shifting out of park position is controlled by the interlock circuit. Check if the brake lights are working when it happens. If not, it is the brake switch or it fuse.

When you use manual over riding of the interlock switch, you might be driving without the brake lights.

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Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 AT 1:12 AM

SEANLIEDER

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for your quick response. I will check my brake lights next time it happens. I was wondering if another problem with my breaks was related to this. During the winter time on a really cold morning my break light on the dash will come on and after a while it will go off when the pressure is taken off the brake. But as soon as I hit my brake it comes back on. I did a google search and found something that sounds like this could be the brake fluid cap or filter. What do you think?

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Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 AT 11:55 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi seanlieder,

You mean the brake fluid level/parkbrake light?
There should be no connection unless the fluid level is low, just at the point when the switch is about to be activated. When pressing the brakes, a little fluid is drawn into the master cylinder and level drops slightly activating the magnetic strip in the switch.
Check if the fluid level is lower than max but higher than min.

Or is it the brake bulb failure indicator?

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Thursday, July 10th, 2008 AT 6:32 AM