Hi all. I've read some other information about this problem, but I figured I'd just ask about my specific situation.

My accord will not shift completely into park without applying some extra force, and it won't shift out of park without using the shift lock release. It settles just below park in no man's land. Even if I push the shifter forward and get it fully into park (the "P" light goes on on the dash), the button on the shifter will only go in halfway and it will not shift out of park.

One of my brake lights was out, but I replaced it. Both are now working. When I push the shifter forward and press the brake, I can see and hear the shift lock releasing, but the button on the shifter goes in half way and it will not shift out of park. If I use the shift lock release when it is just below park, not in any gear entirely, I can then shift out of park. Shifting is fine through the other gears.

I just bought a brake light switch, but since the lights are on and the shift lock releases when it's in park and the brake is pressed, I'm thinking that it might not be the problem. Is it the shift lock solenoid? If so, how do I fix it? Where is it? Is there a good write-up with pictures on this?

 

Can you explain the events leading up to this symptom?

I imagine there is something pysically impeding the shifter from going into the Park position.

 

The shifter did get tougher and tougher to move in and out of park over time. Then one day I'm told the key won't come out, and discovered that it was because it wasn't registering that the shifter was in park. At the same time, it became stuck, and required the shift lock release to get it out. Even then, it still requires a decent amount of force.

 

Sounds like the shift mechanism is binding.