[rjodyssey]

I have a problem that I haven't found discussed elsewhere, or maybe I searched the wrong keywords.

I own a 2000 Odyssey LX with 156k or so miles. The transmission was replaced in 2008 at 120k miles.

Yesterday evening, I had a low battery and called my spouse to come and jumpstart the car. We had to move it to jump start it because of cars parked around me. I couldn't get it out of park. Our strong son pulled it out of park into neutral (NOT using the shift release button that I read about later), we rolled the car to another space and jump started the car. Now we cannot shift it back into Park or remove the key. It shifts easily through all the other gears and drives just fine. Since I can't get it into Park, I can't remove the key.

Is there a cable, spring that might be broken or overstretched? I'd like some ideas before I take the car in.

Thx

 

[New Dad New Van]

Your strong son may have caused your problem. I think you may need to take it in to check for damage to shift lever/mechanism if the Shift/Lock release on top of steering column does not work for you.

 

[SuperDad]

Yep, shift lock is wrecked bad I bet!

If you are handy maybe you can dive in and disable it entirely. It's only function is to shield Honda from ficticious sudden accelleration lawsuits pioneered by Audi in the late 1980's.

 

[odd94805]

Yep, shift lock is wrecked bad I bet!

If you are handy maybe you can dive in and disable it entirely. It's only function is to shield Honda from ficticious sudden accelleration lawsuits pioneered by Audi in the late 1980's.

Ours wouldn't go back into park for any known reason...tried to use release but no go. We can shift everywhere but P and we CAN remove the key. The column is apart and I can see the shift lock extension (white plastic $5 part) is broken but am wondering if that is all it is. Is the another explanation for no shift to P ?

Many Thanks.

Forgot to ask how to disable.

 

[SuperDad]

I only stated it would be probably be possible to disable the shift lock. I haven't needed to. One fairly easy way that might work would be to open the shift-lock override cap and jam something in there permanently. (Reading the manual, it looks like that won't work.)

I'm gonna guess that a broken part from your shift lock mechanism has gotten stuck in the shifter area.

I've never had the need to disassemble the steering column.

The manual doesn't have any particular stuff to check if you can't get the lever back to park.

BTW, the shift lock is not intended to keep you from getting the shifter back to Park, it is only there to keep you from getting OUT of park.

I'm surprised you can remove the key.

 

[odd94805]

Thanks for checking into it.

I took the covers off the column (after disabling the SRS) and found the broken tip of the manual override that was keeping us out of park, pulled it out, now we have all gears and the power doors work again. Now we have no manual override button but we also don't need one unless we start habitually shifting into gear without stepping on the brakes.

When you turn on the engine the interlock solenoid kicks out and locks the gear selector in park, it retracts when you step on the brake pedal. That's why you can't shift OUT of park when your brake light switch goes bad.

The manual override/interlock is a simple plastic piece but it only comes as part of the gear selector bracket- a $55 part new.

Thanks all odyclub members!

1999, graphite, 180K.