Hey all,

First post here. I tried searching the forum for this but I wasn't able to find anything. Part of the problem may be that I'm really mechanically-illiterate, so please bear with me.

I have a 97 Accord, 2.2L 4cyl LX which I lent my sister a few months ago and I'm not sure what she did but when she returned it I could move the shifter freely without having to press the button in. The car still drives fine, but this is definitely not something I want when I bump into it going 80 down the highway. I pulled off the top of the shifter to get a look and there was a rod with about a 45' cut at the top that should move down when the button is pressed. This rod is stuck down. I can pull it up if I grab some pliers, but once up it is stuck and even pressing the button can't get it pushed down. I tried pouring down some lubricant but no go.

Anyone know what the issue could be? I'm not afraid to take it into a shop, but I would like to be semi-educated so I don't get taken to the cleaners.

Thanks.

 

im not up on how the auto shifter assembly works but it sounds like there is a spring or something that is worn out. my integra had a similar issue but there is a safety so you cannot put the trans in reverse while driving forward so you need not worry about that. if you have a haynes manual then it may very well have a shift diagram in there

 

Thanks for the reply. I had a feeling there would be a failsafe but I didn't want to risk it

Anyway, yeah, that makes sense. I'll go to Autozone and pick up a manual and see if I can make sense of it.