Gear shift stuck

Another happy ending. Typical of Bruce's help :D

You are WAY to kind. Successful endings is your middle name service type guy!

Check the owners manual for an override button-your problem has something to do with the shift interlock system-could be the shift lock solenoid or its computer

Hi xfedman,

Get the brake switch checked. When you are not able to shift out of park, check if the brake lights are working.

Hi svt1111,

When it happens, check if the brake lights are working. If not, then you need to check the brake switch at peddal.

If brake lights are working and unable to engage, listen for a clicking sound from near the gear shift, if none, you need to check the interlock fuse and solenoid operations.

Prices depends on what needs to be done.

Start with the brake release. I assume that by putting the key in to the slot on the housing of the shifter that the car can be shifted, right?

That is the place to start looking. Pain in the butt working up in that tight location. There are really very few components that are involved in this process. The switch on the brake telling it the pedal is depressed and the release for the shift. I wouldn't replace the switch on the pedal but rather test the switch and the sensor in the release.

I am concerned about the air sound. I would be looking under the hood while someone depresses the brake pedal. See if there is a booster for the brake and if it is leaking air.

Then when you push the brake and all is quiet you should be able to hear a click as the solenoid that releases the shift lever is activated. You might have a brake switch/sensor that is bad or the solenoid at the shift lever is bad.

If it is a manual tranny and it is stuck in gear, there are a few likely possibilities;

The clutch is not disengaging enough. If this is true the car will move when running even with clutch all the way in.
Otherwise you have an input shaft bearing or synchronizer that has failed. There may be a problem with the shifter, which you whould check first. Hondas are pretty simple, there is a rod connectec to the shifter that moves on a ball and moves a rod rotationally and back and forth. Get under the car and see if you can move the shifter or if it feels stuck. The shift shat goes into the back of the shifter and is easy to trace3 from the shifter. The other non moving rod is for rigidity. See if the shifter rod seems to move more freely at the transmission. More than likely it is an internal tranmsission problem, but it is best to rule out simpler things first.

Test the brake booster, brake switch and have the shift interlock system checked out-

Hi cbella,

Near the gear shift there is a small slot, insert the ignition key into it and push in, you should be able to shift out of park. It is meant for emergency use like this situation.

As advised, check the brake switch, it should be faulty or you might have a blown fuse.

The whooshing noise is from the brake booster and most probably you might need to replace it as well, it is leaking and brake efficiency should be lower than normal.