YACT: Can't shift into drive

[ThePresence]

2000 Nissan Maxima SE.

I start the car, put my foot on the brake and the gearshift won't release to let me shift into drive (the car is an automatic). I have to use that little shift lock release thing. It's more annoying than anything else. I think it happens more as the weather gets colder, but that may just be a coincidence. Anyone have an idea what could be causing this?

 

[Zanix]

The floor mat is sliding up and blocking the trigger to release the tranny.

 

[Gibson486]

I had that happen in my old eclipse.....never fixed it because i always got it to shift eventually.

 

[ElFenix]

i've got the same problem. it says that could happen if the battery is wearing out, though why it would do that is beyond me

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
i've got the same problem. it says that could happen if the battery is wearing out, though why it would do that is beyond me

My battery is relatively new and my alternator is brand new. It was happening before I changed the alternator too.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

low on tranny fluid?

 

[CraigRT]

car parking on a slope? sometimes that can cause it (when the handbrake is not on)

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
car parking on a slope? sometimes that can cause it (when the handbrake is not on)

Nope, nice level parking.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
low on tranny fluid?

I didn't check, but do you think that can cause it?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
low on tranny fluid?

I didn't check, but do you think that can cause it?

it can

 

[CraigRT]

Check for a fuse that controls the locking mechanism in the transmission, so when you step on the brake a relay allows the gear selector to be moved, and that fuse or relay may have stopped working, or something along those lines.

Found here:

http://groups.google.ca/group/alt.autos...+in+park&rnum=1&hl=en#0a8a04ef2ef0c3c6

 

[farmercal]

and people wonder why I prefer standard transmissions

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: farmercal
and people wonder why I prefer standard transmissions

because nothing could EVER happen to a manual... :rolleyes;

 

[farmercal]

I drove a Toyota Corrolla stationwagon for 200,000 and only replaced the clutch once! The transmission was still just as good as it was when the car was new.

 

[VirginiaDonkey]

its your shift interlock solenoid. My Pathfinder had the same issue. open up the console and grease it first, if that doesnt work and if you dont want to fix it, remove the linkage from the solenoid. the only drawback is you can take it out of park without your foot on the brake. But you still have to press the button to shift it.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: VirginiaDonkey
the only drawback is you can take it out of park without your foot on the brake

how is that a drawback, exactly?

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: VirginiaDonkey
the only drawback is you can take it out of park without your foot on the brake

how is that a drawback, exactly?

yeah, good question. on my 83 supra auto I don't have to put my foot on the brake to let the car out of park, just have to push teh button

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: VirginiaDonkey
the only drawback is you can take it out of park without your foot on the brake

how is that a drawback, exactly?

It's not a drawback the shift interlock is only there for stupid people that don't put thier foot on the brake before shifting into a drive or reverse gear anyways.

 

[ThePresence]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna pop the console off and have a look.

 

[Cal166]

forums.maxima.org

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: VirginiaDonkey
its your shift interlock solenoid. My Pathfinder had the same issue. open up the console and grease it first, if that doesnt work and if you dont want to fix it, remove the linkage from the solenoid. the only drawback is you can take it out of park without your foot on the brake. But you still have to press the button to shift it.

Which part would I pop open? The red or the green? I don't want to force anything and break it... Thanks.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: Cal166
forums.maxima.org

I actually registered so that I can post this question, but for some reason it won't allow me to post new topics.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: farmercal
I drove a Toyota Corrolla stationwagon for 200,000 and only replaced the clutch once! The transmission was still just as good as it was when the car was new.

We've got a F-150 here that has 190k on it and the original transmission. Your point?

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: farmercal
I drove a Toyota Corrolla stationwagon for 200,000 and only replaced the clutch once! The transmission was still just as good as it was when the car was new.

We've got a F-150 here that has 190k on it and the original transmission. Your point?

hey, we gots a 2k f-150 with 100k on it, still original everything. yah for 5-speed trucks!

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: VirginiaDonkey
its your shift interlock solenoid. My Pathfinder had the same issue. open up the console and grease it first, if that doesnt work and if you dont want to fix it, remove the linkage from the solenoid. the only drawback is you can take it out of park without your foot on the brake. But you still have to press the button to shift it.

Which part would I pop open? The red or the green? I don't want to force anything and break it... Thanks.

?