I have a '95 Honda Accord EX Wagon Automatic. For the past year, the shifter button has gone in and out of being very hard to press. Once the button is pressed, it shifts fine. I've had no transmission problems. The ONLY problem is that the button gets to the point where it takes 2 hands to depress the button. Every once and a while, it will get easier for a couple days, but never as easy as it should be - still takes a little force. It seems to get worse on colder days and with winter coming I would like to know I'll be able to switch gears. Anyone else have this problem or any thoughts? Has anyone taken apart their shifter lever?

Thanks for any help.

 

The shift console is prone to fluid spillage contamination that can cause a a host of problems, from sticky movement to a complete lockout.

In your instance, you will need to remove the head of the shifter, and the bezel at least to help determine what is causing the problem. Coins and other items can block the interlock and prevent you from mechanically moving the shift lever.

Given your ability to move the shifter after you can unlock it rules the cable out as the problem itself. This problem is rooted in the shifter mechanism itself. Does the shift interlock click when you depress the brake? If it does, your problem is entirely mechanical, and within the console itself. If it does not "click" you may have a problem with the shift interlock circuit itself.

On some vehicles that have been "forced" to shift out of park in these situations, permanent damage to the lever mechanism occurs that is hard to correct without a new shift console.

Do you use the parking brake when parked?

More information is required, such as when the problem started, and the last repairs done prior to this becoming an issue. Add any and all information you can, we are not at your car.

 

Thanks for your reply!

I'll cut to the chase and say it is fixed now. I took apart the shifter mechanism and put it back together and it works smooth now. Nothing was stuck in there, I think maybe just the vertical rod with the bevel that gets pressed down by the button twisted a little. That's the only guess I have because it is just fine with really no repair.

Thanks again for replying though - I was unsure if I was going to open a can of worms by taking apart the shifter (I'm a rookie with repairs) but your confidence that it was purely mechanical helped me out.

All is well. Peace.

 

I also have ‘95 Honda Accord starting to have same problem. Just started this morning.