Gear Shift Cable?

Tiny
EJO4304
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 126,000 MILES
I have a 2001 Honda Accord that has been a GREAT car until recently. Recently, my gear shift has been sticking in park sometimes-- not all the time or every time the car is turned on. When it does this, the button will still push in but the gear shift won't move from park. I usually just wait awhile and try again, sometimes it only takes one try and others it takes innumerable attempts. Once it goes into drive or reverse, the car runs fine and the transmission isn't slipping or making any noises. It shifts smoothly between gears at any speed. I think that it's a problem with one of the following: the brake switch, the shift cable, or a problem with the actual gear switch. I'm a woman and (no offense) but around here a lot of mechanics try to take me for a ride. Thanks:)
Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 12:11 AM

29 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi ejo4304,

Seems the interlock system is malfunctioning and possible causes are :

1. Faulty brake switch. Check if the brake lights are working when the shift is stuck in Park. If not, you need to tst if the brake switch is faulty, it could be intermittently not working.

2. Interlock shift solenoid. If the brake lights are working and the shift lever is stuck in Park, with ignition key turned to ON, depress brake pedal and listen for a clicking noise near the gear shift. If there is no noise, either there is a malfunctioning soleanoid or wiring circuit.
If there is a clicking noise and you are not able to shift out of park, the solenoid could be restricted and not moving far enough for the locking tab to be moved to allow the shift lever to be moved out of Park.
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Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 1:47 PM
Tiny
EJO4304
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
KHLow2008--
Thanks so MUCH! I took it the mechanic shortly after getting your message--I told them what you said you thought it may be and it was the brake switch. Thank you a thousand times! I'm sure if I hadn't gone in there with a little second hand knowledge, they would have told me it was a few hundred dollars in repairs.

Thank you again!

Ej
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Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You are welcomed and glad we have been of service.

Feel free to drop by anytime you have any questions.

Have a nice day.
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Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 10:26 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL SHAW2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.1L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
Okay, so I know for sure one cable snapped. So I removed both cables and put in new ones, but the shifter won’t go past first or second gear. When in first or second gear it’s in neither gear like the car will move but it seems to be third gear in first and maybe fifth in second not to sure.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,162 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you got the shifter cables mixed up. Here is how to correctly replace them. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MICHAEL SHAW2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Because my car is a manual not automatic.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,162 POSTS
Swing and a miss, lets try this again. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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+1
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RKALPEE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2000 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 79,101 MILES
I am having a prblem with my gear shifter, when I shift the car into drive (d4)sometimes the indicator on the dash lights up showing the car is on d4 but some times I got to play with the shifter for it to light up, sometimes the car doesn't start and I have to shack the shifter in the park position a lot before it could turn over. Could this be the shifter cable could the shifter cable be stretch I never changed it before and its not the transmission range switch, but the range switch was replaced and this problem started when it was replaced,

please help !
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Hi rkalpee,

Either there is excessive free travel in the shift cable or the transmission switch has not been calibrated correctly.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RKALPEE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Well the safety switch been adjusted but still nothing its still doing the same thing so I spoke to honda they looked at it and confirmed its the cable so I will take it to them for the change cause I am having this problem since a while so I am kinda fed-up.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Too bad it has to be the cable, an item that seldom fails.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHELLY-ANN SEIGNORET
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1994 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 3,470,547 MILES
I need to move shifter to first position to move on first gear and second position to move on second gear. If I leave shifter on drive four it will move on fourth gear.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check for a broken or worn out shift cable. It may be out of adjustment as well. See pictures for adjustments.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHELLY-ANN SEIGNORET
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Will re-check the cable adjustment. But could it be solenoid sticking or something else?
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It could also be the switch on the transmission that tells dash what gear it is in. Other than that it may be an internal problem.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHELLY-ANN SEIGNORET
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
What would cause the fourth gear to remain engaged at all speeds even pulling off after stopping unless I manually shift to 1 or 2 position on lever
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
That will have to be scanned for codes or it is the torque converter clutch staying applied. Best to have a transmission professional scan this.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHELLY-ANN SEIGNORET
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Okay, thanks.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,162 POSTS
I know you may have done this already, but did you check the transmission fluid level?
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISBOBB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 HONDA ACCORD
The car will not shift into 1st, 3rd or 5th gear. Upon inspection, it was found that the right side shift cable is broken. How tough a repair is this and can I find the part.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)

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