Auto trans 01 base stuck in park - Honda Prelude Forum

LudeMike · 12-04-2011, 02:25 PM

Please no wiseass comments like use the search engine ( I did an there were similar posts but not like the problem im having) get rid of the sissy stick, do a 5spd swap etc...I would have a gotten a stick, but do to an injury of my foot I can't drive stick. On to the issue...

This has happened 6 times since I got the car 11 months ago, the car will stay in park unless I shut the car off then turn it back on, then I am able to shift out of park and drive. The last 2 times this has happened was in the past 2 weeks (more closer together), im thinking its some electrical part with the trans or shifter? Car has 134K and runs fine (no trans winding out, shifting late, etc.).

Also a couple of brake lights went out, the brake light was on the display, I replaced and checked fuses... them BUT when its cold in the morning the brake light on the display stays on for a bit then shuts off even though all brake lights are working.

If anybody has had or knows whats causing this please let me know, much appreciated & thanks in advance.

minilogoguy18 · 12-04-2011, 05:22 PM

Is it the brake lamp indicator or the one that just says brake? The brake lamp is for bulbs but the other has a couple of functions and being on can mean a couple of different things are wrong. Either the e-brake is up slightly, the brake fluid level is low (either a leak or the pads are low as the fluid level drops as pads decrease) or there is a problem with the sensor on the master cylinder causing the light.

As for the trans, thinking it could be the safety switch on the pedal that wont let you shift unless the brake pedal is applied. I'll ask Anthony tomorrow about it since he's been a master tech there for years.

One thing you can try is to use the key in the shift lock release next to the shifter, put it in neutral with the e-brake up then start the car in neutral. It may help until you can have it properly fixed.

Nighthawk01 · 12-04-2011, 07:16 PM

I had this same issue in my Accord, turned out to be my speed sensor.

I know the 5g autos have alot of issues, but it's a start :/

LudeMike · 12-05-2011, 06:00 AM

@miniloguy18 Its the brake light for the e-brake, i use it all the time when putting the car in park, just a habit. And sounds good about asking Anthony, I appreciate it. Until then i'll take your advice using the shift lock.

@Nighthawk01 Yep could be that too, gonna wait to hear back from a Honda tech I know to get his take on it. Thanks for the suggestion.

minilogoguy18 · 12-05-2011, 10:28 AM

One thing I totally forgot about checking was the brake pedal since the plastic peice that hits the safety switch may have crumbled with age which is common, happened to mine as well as my clutch pedal where I couldn't start the car. Just lay on the floor and look up at the pedal and you should see a metal cylinder with a button on it and the pedal will have a plastic peice pressed in that hits the button. If there is just a hole in the pedal and the plastic is missing where the button doesn't get pressed then that is your problem.

Just another quick easy thing you can check, if that's the problem then just find something to plug the hole in the pedal so that the switch is pressed when you press the pedal.

LudeMike · 12-05-2011, 05:42 PM

Man I hope thats the problem...i'll check that tomorrow evening, im away from home till then where my car is, i'll let ya know, thanks Alex.

afrotec · 12-05-2011, 06:54 PM

I can't believe it, I have this exact same problem! I cant figure it out, but I haven't had the same problems with my brake lights as you. Hm...

I'm in for some answers, let us know about that plastic piece. I'll check out mine too.

minilogoguy18 · 12-05-2011, 07:02 PM

Well since it's intermittent maybe scratch that last thought because if the plastic pedal stopper had come out then it would act up all the time. I just went through the service manual on the Honda IN and the shift interlock is definitely to blame as expected BUT it's scary to replace without knowing that a possible wiring problem could be it and not the switch itself. The wiring short is pretty unlikely though, it's up to you unless you know someone that could maybe test the wiring at the switch and such to make sure it's good.

Trying to look up a part # for a price but that's kinda failing so maybe I can check on that tomorrow.

LudeMike · 12-06-2011, 06:25 AM

Yeah like I said 6 times since I had the car over a 11 month span... but when it does happen I can just turn the car off then turn it back on and then I have no problems getting out of park, which is why it leads me to believe it may be electrical. How would I go about checking for the short? I do have the Helms shop manual just unsure where to look & check. And sounds good about trying to find a part # for the shift interlock, thanks.

99slowlude · 12-06-2011, 07:57 AM

Same problem mines started doing recently,I would also like to know what the problem is, I can drive it then once I put it in park it won't let me change to reverse or drive untill I turn the car off & then on, I had the e-brake light come on once and it had nothing to do with it not going into gear, my e-brake fluid wasn't filled up to the top once I filled it the e-brake light came off.

afrotec · 12-06-2011, 09:11 AM

Mine does this every single time. It's strange that yours only does it sporadically

LudeMike · 12-06-2011, 03:39 PM

@afrotec you never had it checked out?

Wow looks like there's a few of us that have this issue. I can vouch for miniloguy, dealt with him before in person, if anybody knows there stuff about ludes its him and his co worker. Cross your fingers friends.

minilogoguy18 · 12-06-2011, 05:39 PM

Not sure of the price of the switch but I'd start with replacing it, kinda a ***** though since you have to lay on the floor looking up.

LudeMike · 12-07-2011, 06:03 AM

I'll try that...do you know the exact name of the switch or part #?

minilogoguy18 · 12-07-2011, 06:07 PM

Well if you have working brake lights and horn then it's the shift interlock solenoid, if none of those things work then it's the brake switch on the pedal, just check those first. I'm hoping for you that there is nothing electrical wrong, I hate guessing over the net but there isn't much choice.

Shift lock solenoid 39550-S30-003
Brake switch 36750-S04-003

The shift interlock is located on the right side of the shifter, you'll have to remove the center console. If you need the manual just go to spoonertuner.com and download it, no special tools, just basic stuff.

LudeMike · 12-08-2011, 05:47 AM

Well my horn and brake lights definitely work so it should be the shift lock solenoid then. And I hear ya about guessing over the net but i'll give it a shot. Should have it replaced by next week. I'll update everybody on this thread once its done. Thanks for your help.

playludesc · 12-08-2011, 06:07 PM

It could also be a fuse. I went to have mine smogged and my brake light wouldn't go off (turned out to be a sticky floater). Here, they won't smog your car on the dyno if the light doesn't go off for fear of damaging their dyno. The guy at the smog station kind of lowered his voice and said, "Go jerk fuses till the light goes out and bring it back." So I tried it. When I got back to the smog station, I couldn't put the car back into park. That **** was awkward. Put the fuses back in and I could shift again!

For reference, the one I jerked had something to do with the gauge cluster.

minilogoguy18 · 12-08-2011, 08:03 PM

Problem is that I'm not sure if he's up for some electrical trouble shooting, the flowchart is in the manual and it would be best to follow it if he's willing. If you got a multimeter and some time you could go through and check everything to make sure before buying the part.

LudeMike · 12-09-2011, 10:32 AM

The fuses are fine, first thing I checked. $hit, I already ordered the part, but when it comes before installing it i'll check the wiring.

That 01 BB6 · 12-19-2011, 08:43 AM

I know I had this problem when I switched over to a manual gauge cluster. The issue that caused this was me not having my auto harness plugged into the back of the cluster. As soon as I re-installed the automatic cluster and plugged everything back in, I had no issues with the vehicle being "stuck" in park.

Now this may or may not help you.