timrichter9

Wife has a '04 Odyssey and is experiencing inability to shift car from Park.
It does not happen all the time, and we live on the flat, so it is not a hill issue.

I have gathered enough info from the internet to determine that there may be a problem with the Shift Lock.

Here's how I think it works, can anyone with knowledge help out?

I will replace the switch on the brake pedal. Assuming that it is NOT just the switch, how many parts make up this safety system?

I am thinking

1. The switch on the brake pedal (this is a momentary switch that is turned "on" when the brake is depressed and the switch plunger springs out)

2. That allows a voltage to be applied to some control module.

3. The control module sends a voltage to a SOLENOID in the steering column.
The solenoid has some plunger or bar that fits into a hole or place in the shifter and "locks" it in place (unless the solenoid draws in the bar/stop).

Anyone ever replaced that solenoid/lock part?

One thing I noticed is that sometimes, when the car is acting up, you get a particular distinct "click" when depressing the brake pedal. The noise comes from the steering column, and makes me think the lock/solenoid is failing.

Thoughts?
Tim Richter

jimlaw3

the solenoid has a plunger,when you press the brake the plunger pulls a lever that is preventing the shifter from being pulled out of park(little plastic piece that looks like a small finger).Its kind of hard to explain the setup.Lots of times it is the brake switch,when this fails you will not be able to shift from park and also the brake lights will not work.I rarely see the solenoid go bad.Press the brake over and over again,you should hear the solenoid everytime you hit the pedel,also while doing this keep an eye on your brake lights.

timrichter9

Yeah. The solenoid is not clicking EVERY time. I can pump the brakes when the problem presents itself and usually, I can get the plunger to release. I will check the switch on the pedal as it is cheap ($8).

timrichter9

Looks like the switch was $8 locally and if the solenoid is bad, that is only about $22.

Unless it is the TCM, I am sitting pretty.
It has been terribly cold here in Tennessee (snowing today actually), so I have not replaced the brake switch. Hopefully, that will be it.

Tim