Car wont shift from park

Tiny
SUBARUGIRL8
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 SUBARU FORESTER
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 38,000 MILES
I made an appointment with the dealership I bought the car from (only a few months ago) but they did not have anything open until next week. Wondering if I could pick your brains because I know nothing about cars.

About a week ago I turned on the car and it would not shift from park into reverse. It felt liked it was getting jammed. In addition the ABS, traction control and hill assist warning lights all came on simultaneously. I read online that you can poke a bobby pin down the little hole next to the shifter and it will allow you to shift-this worked but the warning lights remained on. Since then the car has had this same exact problem about half the time I turn it on. The other half it shifts from park fine with no warning lights but then halfway through driving the same three warning lights will come on again.

Any ideas? I have been using the bobby pin trick when I need to and continuing to drive the car since it is my only way of getting to work and seems to drive fine. I think it might be something with the brakes but they were supposedly replaced 3,000 miles ago since I bought the car CPO.

Thanks!
Friday, July 22nd, 2016 AT 5:30 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check battery for condition it may be weak a well as dirty battery terminal ends. If it continues have a mechanic scan for codes it does not need to be a dealer. It kind of sounds like an intermittent problem however so it may be something like a loose ground wire so check any you see under-hood on the body as well as engine.
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Friday, July 22nd, 2016 AT 6:44 AM
Tiny
RENEE L
  • ADMIN
  • 1,257 POSTS
Hi SUBARUGIRL8,

If you decide to check the condition of your battery yourself here is a link to an article form this site that features written instructions, pictures and a video explaining how to load test your battery yourself. If you need further assistance please come back to 2CarPros.com. We are always happy to help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-battery

Thank you for visiting 2CarPros.

Kindest regards,

Renee
Admin
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Friday, July 22nd, 2016 AT 8:55 AM

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