So I'm pretty sure I screwed something up today. I was trying to remove the OEM fin on my 99 accord ex and in the process of doing so I messed up the brake lights and my car will not shift from park.

Here's what I did. I couldn't figure out how to disconnect the cable that attaches to the light on the fin so I just cut it. I figured I could just wire it back if I wanted, which I'm sure I don't.

Anyway, I plugged the holes and was about to take off for some grub and my car starts but won't shift to drive.

What the hell did I do and how do I recover from this?

 

I said I couldn't shift into drive. In reality I can't shift from park at all. Help please.

 

you can't engage the manual override button by the side of the shifter?

 

I don't have that. I've read where others did that but I look at my shifter **** and there is nothing like that there.

I actually took the shifter apart looking for it. Nothing. Why is it that others seem to have this feature but I don't? I bought this preowned, possible the previous owner swapped shifters?

 

it might be covered by a plug. but as far as i know, every automatic must have that lock defeater. it isn't on the shifter, it is on the console usually next to the gear position display.

 

it should be like a little hole on the peice that has p,r,n,d,2,1 not the shifter itself. a friend of mines did this and its a little hole/slot to stick a small key in.

 

i have doubts that you did anything by removing the lid. if in fact the car locks the transmission if there is an electric short, then cycle the car, remove the battery and wait 30 seconds before reconnecting it.
i doubt the car will leave you stranded if the bulb burns out (cutting the brake light equates to that).

 

No plug. It's all leather bound with just a whole for the button you squeeze to shift and two screw holes.

 

not the shifter, the console the shifter is located in.

 

SOLVED: Previous owner left owners manual in glovebox. I found the override. You have to pop off a frame that surrounds the shifter column to get to it. It is hidden under there.

So now I just got the brake problem. I'll start with the fuses. Probably shorted something out when I cut the wires to the spoiler.

 

just a friendly advice, well two. don't ever cut harnesses, there is a plug somewhere near by, and whenever you do electric work on cars, disconnect the battery. i have seen body control modules burnt by disconnecting a plug from a seat.

 

Thanks for the advice Ash. I didn't disconnect the battery and I know better.

Turned out to be a blown fuse caused by my carlessness. Thanks alot everyone.

 

Open circuit or fuse.