Nothing is worse than sitting in a vehicle that’s stuck in park. The engine is running fine, but the shifter just won’t move. There are several things you can try to get your Honda Civic moving now. These include checking to see if the parking brake is stuck, finding the shift lock solenoid override (if applicable), and the shift linkage. Show
Let’s get straight to it. We’ll start with things that are easy and quick to remedy (allowing you to get moving again). We’ll then move onto the less likely problems with the hope that you can get your Civic out of park fast. Is it physically impossible to move the gear shift into any other position? Here are a few possibilities that could be causing the problem. Parking Brake StuckIs your Civic parked on a hill? If so, then the force of gravity could be forcing your transmission to put pressure on the parking lock in the transmission. If this is what happened to your Civic, it is good news since it’s pretty easy to fix. This happens a lot when you don’t use a parking brake on a hill. It can happen to any vehicle, at any age or mileage. Getting it unstuck can be easy, but also a little dangerous since you’ll need to rock the vehicle. The best way to rock it is from the driver’s seat. Just throw your weight around. Proceed at your own risk. What you’re going to need to do is safely:
Hopefully that worked. You want to get a little pressure off of the parking mechanism in the transmission. It’s not meant to be a brake. That’s why parking brakes aren’t called emergency brakes anymore. So if you do rock it, try and catch your Civic as it rolls behind you. When it’s about to rock forward again, hit the brakes and try to get it out of park. Easy right? Shift Lock Solenoid FailureThe shift lock solenoid is the mechanism that keeps you from shifting out of park without your foot on the brake. The good news is that most shift locks have an override button. You will need to find it for your particular model year of Civic (if applicable). Finding it is usually pretty easy. Just look at your shifter. There’ll be a little plastic cover, you pop it off and override the shifter lock solenoid. This can get you back on the road in a hurry and could save you from being stranded. Here’s a video that’ll show you where to find them on most vehicles. Bad Shift LinkageThe shift linkage on your Civic will usually provide a lifetime of dependable service. But, they can go bad. If you are positive that the gear shifter is not stuck in park (see directly above), then it’s likely that the shift linkage may be bad. Either something caused it to bend, or it’s starting to come loose. If it’s come loose, the geometry won’t be right anymore and it may keep your Civic stuck in park. Conclusion: Civic Stuck in ParkThere aren’t a lot of issues that would cause your Honda Civic to be stuck in park. Good luck working through the diagnosis. If there is anything that you would like to add, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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How much does a Shift Interlock Solenoid Replacement cost?On average, the cost for a Honda Civic Shift Interlock Solenoid Replacement is $126 with $31 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.
Show example Honda Civic Shift Interlock Solenoid Replacement prices What is the Shift Interlock Solenoid all about?Solenoids are cylindrical coils of metal wire that carry electric currents. The shift interlock solenoid ensures you can’t shift from Park to Drive without first applying the brake. The solenoid inside the interlock system is what allows you to move the shifter. When the brake pedal is pressed, the solenoid receives a signal that releases a mechanical lock on the shifter and allows it to be moved. The shift interlock solenoid also enables the shifter to be moved from Neutral to Reverse and, from Reverse to Park. If the solenoid does not receive the brake pedal signal, the shifter will not be released from its current position. You may not be able to shift out of Park, or if you are in Drive, you may not be able to shift past Neutral back into Reverse or Park. Keep in mind:
How it's done:
Our recommendation:The shift interlock solenoid does not require servicing. It is meant to last the lifetime of your car. If your shifter will not come out of Park, or is stuck in gear, have one of our expert mechanics diagnose the system and replace the shift interlock solenoid if required. What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Shift Interlock Solenoid?
How important is this service?Though it does not present a safety concern, your vehicle is unusable in many cases until the shift interlock solenoid is repaired. Getting your faulty interlock solenoid replaced is essential for normal car operation. Fast and easy service at your home or office Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee Recent articles & questionsHow do I adjust the sound on the radio?While your radio is set for decent audio performance across a wide range of music and entertainment types, you might find that you need to adjust the sound depending on your preferences and on the type of music in question.... What indicates that the AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ is active?While you shouldn’t notice much when the AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ activates, you may feel some sensations depending on what the system is doing and what the driving conditions are. Here’s what you should know: During Self-Check The traction... I have been trying to verify a tsb has been done on this car but the dealership is a hour away.Your TSB (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-use-a-technical-service-bulletin-by-parker-hill) is a product update and any Honda dealer should be able to verify if your vehicle had it performed by using your VIN. You should be able to contact Honda USA (http://automobiles.honda.com/information/customer-relations.aspx) in order to find out...
How do I fix shift lock release?If the shift lock release button is stuck, then you can try to fix it by using a pencil to push the button or by tapping on the button with a hammer. You can also release a stuck shift lock by engaging the emergency brake and pushing down on the override while pushing down on the brake pedal.
What causes the gear shift to be stuck in park?Common causes are: You're parked on a hill: When you park on a steep incline, pressure on the praw can cause it to get jammed into the parking gear. In this case, you have to relieve the stress to switch gears—often by recruiting another person to help you rock the vehicle back and forth.
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