Difficulty getting trans out of park- what's breaking?

[MauiSteve]

Hey guys, on my 2002 XLE i4 I am starting to have difficulty getting the transmission out of the park position and into reverse, neutral, or drive.

Foot is firmly on the brake pedal, and firmly squeezing the button in on the shift lever, but still stuck...

What is starting to fail?

My warranty is up in a couple of months... so would like to get this sorted properly.

[acs72727]

your transmission is

[dna59]

Maybe somethign is wrong with the shift lever. I know when I changed my shift lever to and aluminum one, if it wasn't adjusted correctly it wouldn't move or it would be hard to move. Maybe something in your shifter broke. Maybe that helps.

[BullMarket]

Are you parked on an incline and not setting the parking brake?

BULLMKT

[MauiSteve]

Nope... not parked on an incline- just in a flat parking lot.

Somebody said something about a sensor that's been installed on all cars since 1991/1992 that prevents a person from being able to take a car out of park unless their foot is on the brake (brake pedal shift-out-of-park interlock). The sensors put in because of all that Audi unintended acceleration nonsense way back when...

No, I really dont think the transmission is breaking, the car shifts fine once it is in gear.

Anyone know or have additional detail about this sensor, its location, etc...

I am aware of the "shift override" button under a latch located on the forward part of the shift console. So far I have not had to get in there and press that, but if the problem worsens, I would expect to have to do so.

[RichieRichJP]

Ok, I had a similar problem when I put in my Tokico's, H&r's and rims on. Apparently the driver side CV joint popped out and we just hanging and I none of the gears did shit. It basically stayed on park and would GRIND if I put it in the parking gear. Might not be that, just make sure you check that out.

[2k4CamThrilla]

I have that same problem with my 04' G5, My foot will be firmly on the brake when I'm ready to shift it's basically not smooth out of Park.

[blkdmnrcing]

this is going to sound real stupid. but i work for a ford dealership, rebuilding automatic transminssions and dealing with other concerns. dont worry tho, i dont own a ford just a Gen 2 Camry. Anyway, we get alot of Ford Contour's in with the same problem. the shifter seems to stick and not want to come out of park. Number one cause - soda getting spilled in that area, or dripping from the cup holder abover, and gumming the cable up. i know, sounds stupid as hell, but its what happens, maybe see if something is spilled in there.

[2k4CamThrilla]

no, this first occured when I first got the car..BRAND NEW CAR..When I got the car it only had 21 miles on it.

[karugs]

Steve, I strongly suggest you take it in before your warranty is up.

[dna59]

yeah I would take care of it before the warranty runs out.

[Cyorke]

Originally Posted by MauiSteve

My warranty is up in a couple of months... so would like to get this sorted properly.

If you have warranty why are you worried about it? Take it to the dealer and tell them to fix it. It sounds like it is the shift lock switch. As long as you have not spilled anything on it like soft drinks and such it should be covered under the warranty. If you have spilled something on it you will have to pay.

[AznVR4]

this happened to me also with my Gen 5 but i realized you have to step on the breaks a little more for a smoth shiffting out of park. for me i guess i wasnt stepping on the breaks enough.

[2k4CamThrilla]

^What part of NY?

[AznVR4]

Originally Posted by 2k4CamThrilla

^What part of NY?

Brooklyn