Hello

I purchased a 1998 Honda Accord LX about a month ago. The car has about 120,000 miles and runs great. But...

About a week ago I drove to a friends house to visit. I parked my car on the street in front and went inside. The street is virtually flat, no hill. When I came back out, I couldn't get the car out of park!! This is the first automatic transmission car I've owned, so I always use the e-brake out of habit, and it works fine on the car.

I tried everything, restarting the car, pushing extra hard on the brake, disengaging the emergency brake. Nothing worked. Then I had the idea that I would get my buddy to try fooling with it while I stood behind the car and rocked it back and forth. THis worked like I charm. I was happy, because I assumed that this was a fluke.

A week later, it has started again, and keeps happening every day. What could be the problem?? Is this indicative of a transmission that is going out?? Any solutions?? Has this happened to anyone before??

Thanks for your much needed help,
Joe

 

I forgot to mention that it takes longer to shake the car loose enough to disengage from park every time this happens.

Please help
Joe

 

i think there is a recall on that

 

How do I find out if there is a recall? I've never dealt with a recall before.

Joe

 

Do your brake lights work when it's acting up?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by onePOINTsix &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i think there is a recall on that</TD></TR></TABLE>
A recall on what?

 

Get in the car, turn the key on, and push the brade pedal just slightly down. You should hear a sort of clicking sound comming from near the shift lever. then again when you release it. (shift release solenoid). Try it when it does work right so you will know what it sounds like.(it's not loud) Also next time it happens check to see if the brake lights work when you push the brake. (brake light switch).

 

http://www.internetautoguide.c...rd/lx/

That lists all the recalls for your car and I must say there are quite a few. Suprising for Honda. Hope this helps.

 

I am having the same problem and found that my rear brake lights were out. I then checked the fuse for the brake lights and sure enough it was blown. Once I changed the fuse, I can get it out of park. BTW, there is also an emergency "shift lever release" underneath the shift housing. See your owners manual.

In any event, my fuse continues to blow. I found that my problem is related to the horn and I have a post in this forum for that.

 

Good thinking!! I checked, and the brake lights were not working when I had my shifting problems. SO I pinpointed the problem to the little mechanism/plunger type part that works with the brake pedal. I cleaned it off and and it seems to be fixed (at least today). I hope that the problem doesn't come back. But at least if it does, I'll know where to look.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jsardo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I pinpointed the problem to the little mechanism/plunger type part that works with the brake pedal. </TD></TR></TABLE>
That would be the brake switch.

 

meanwhile cant you leave it in neutral and just use the e-brake?