1997 Honda Accord Hard to Shift Out of Park and into Park

Tiny
TBROWNE349
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
It is taking more effort than it should to shift from Park to the other gears. It is also harder than it should to go back into Park. After reading the other forum articles, I checked the brake lights to make sure that the stop light switch worked and inspected the fuses for a blown fuse. All of this is okay. I removed the center console and looked at the shift interlock system. It too is working fine. The locking device moves out of the way easily when I step on the brake and let the electric solenoid valve work, or when I press a key into the manual release mechanism. After greasing up the mechanisms, it was still hard to shift out of Park either manually or with the solenoid valve so I don't think the shift interlock system is the culprit. I guess I am down to the shift cable and the transmission right? Do you have any thoughts as to what could be going on?
Saturday, September 6th, 2008 AT 7:23 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi tbrowne349,

Thank you for the donation.

Check the shift cable at the trans side. If the cable housing is damaged, you need to replace the cable. If you had done any repairs that had anything to do with the cable, you might need to realign the cable end bracket. It might have got twisted out of alignment.
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Sunday, September 7th, 2008 AT 2:18 AM
Tiny
TBROWNE349
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  • 3 POSTS
The cable has no visible damage at the transmission end, but it is pretty much the lowest thing hanging down under the car. Maybe it got snagged on something. Could it be the transmission?
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Sunday, September 7th, 2008 AT 4:36 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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The possibility of trans internal fault is remote, I would say it should be the cable.

Remove the cable and check for worn or bent end part.
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Monday, September 8th, 2008 AT 8:19 AM
Tiny
TBROWNE349
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for your help. Nice to be able to ask simple questions without being charged $500 to $1,000 at a shop.
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Monday, September 8th, 2008 AT 4:36 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Its our pleasure to be of help.
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Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 AT 10:21 AM

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