answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Here are some experiences and solutions:

I have a Mercedes-Benz S500 and it was stuck in park and a MB tech told me to pump the break while hammering the shifter with a mallet and yanking the shifter down (all at the same time). I had my Dad continuously press the break while I hammered and yanked that blasted shifter down to Drive. As odd as that sounds, it works. But this is just temporary.

Check your fuses, i have had this happen to me, also, turn ignition key to on, but do not start. then with foot on brake pedal move transmission to neutral. then start engine.this will usually allow you to then use your gears and drive this will also usually fix the problem of being stuck in park.

Make sure you press the brake down, and fairly hard. You must usually step on the brake in order to shift out of park. I just picked up an automatic after my stick vehicle and am still getting used to this.

I had the same problem. But it was either trying to put my car into gear or into park. The solution: I had to get a new gear cable.

I had a similar problem. I couldn't take my car out of park. The problem was a brake switch that is connected to the brake pedal. You normally step on the brake to place the car in gear. If the switch goes out and you step on the brake the trans will not engage. Don't know if this is same situation with your car.

You may not have any problem at all. Your wife might have put the car in park and let the car roll before engaging the hand brake. If your car rolled while in park and the weight of the car leaned on the parking brake you may need to push the car a little bit before it can get out of park. depending on the car the push may need to be a little or a lot. Next time follow this as a parking routine: reverse or drive into parking spot, stop, with foot still on the brake pedal put car in park and engage hand brake fully so that car doesn't roll. Remove foot from brake pedal. This should stop that problem.

On my 1994 Toyota Corolla, when I had this problem and couldn't get the gear shift to budge, the tow truck driver showed me an override switch, which was located above the gear shift under a plastic tab. ( You need something like a key or screwdriver to depress it, but it gets you out of park and I was able to drive to the garage to get the "brake light service switch" fixed. It's a temporary fix, but it works!

this all depends on what make of car and year as well it could be a fuse, to the relay that sits under the break petal always by the manual for the car you own at like discount autos they have many easy useful charts inside with a simple useful trouble shooting guide i have one for two of my for cars i am still searching for my Buick rivi. book cant find the one i want but you must go by the working manual first to get an understanding of what your doing with a car

Shortly after submitting a similar question to this one, I went out to my car and started messing around with the fuses and tran cable. It ended up being the tran cable shorting out from the cold. I detached the cable and reattached it and my car went into gear. So in my case it was the tran cable that was the problem.

I too had the dillema of the clk430 shifter stuck in park. And as odd as it sounds hitting the top of the shifter knob while appling the brake pedal does actually work. I'm sure there is an underlying problem to this but in a tough situation it did work.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Fool around with your gear shift as there may be a problem with the linkage. I am no mechanic but I do work on a car lot and we see that all the time. If it is that problem it is one that will have to be addressed by a mechanic at some point.

I've seen keys bound up by the steering wheel lock being pinned by the steering wheel. Try turning the wheel one way or the other and that could release the key.

Also, if you are not familiar with the car, you might not know to push the lever that some cars have. It will be close to the ignition and is usually operated with the middle finger. Push the lever with one finger while you turn the key.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

19y ago

Automatic Transmission - Shift into Neutral when wanting to stop. Sounds like the solinoid switch in the transmission is not working, needs to be replaced. Approx. cost of switch 30 dollars.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

19y ago

some cars have a 'shift lock' mechanism, you insert your car key into the 'shift lock' machanism to unlock the gear, restart your car to drive to nearest repair shop.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

18y ago

Try loosening the steering. If the steering column is locked, nothing moves.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

break the windows open and climb out if you have a safety window breaker. If not honk the horn and get peoples attention.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What do you do if the gear shift is stuck and car won't start?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Art & Architecture

Stuck on high gear wont shift to 2wd or low in 4x4?

need more info.. is it a manual 4WD that you have to pull the lever on the transmission hump to engage the 4wd or is it push button 4WD?


Oldsmobile aurora shift lock?

Stuck in Park? Check to see if the brake lights are working - same circuit as shift interlock Check to see if stop light fuse blown Try turning key to 1st position (unlock) shift to neutral to start and then shift to Drive also check to make sure the selenoid on the shift mechanism is working on mine it froze up and stopped working properly if that happens it will normally work when the interior is warm just make sure it is working or it wont let you shift.


If your automatic car thinks it is gear and so the starter motor wont start how do you correct this?

Align the neutral lockout switch.


I have a 93 Mazda 626 Does it hurt the automatic transmission to shift to neutral while going downhill and shift back to drive for better gas milage?

It won't hurt. As long as the engine is running the transmission fluid is being circulated, keeping everything lubricated and the fluid cooled. As to if you will actually get better fuel consumption or not, I can't say. Out of gear the engine will use fuel, and in gear it wont. In gear the engine will slow the car down, and out of gear it won't. Which of the two above will give better mileage?


Why starter wont start on car but OK on bench test?

seized engine? defective or disconnected solenoid? starter not grounded? starter is engaging a damaged gear?

Related questions

Why wont transmission shift to high gear?

My 1998 Nissan sentra wony shift into high gear


How do you reset motorcycle after stuck in gear?

Put it in neutral if it wont shift at all something is broke internally.It does not have a reset button and no proceedure to be reset...sorry


Your auto transmission is stuck in park but when the e brake is off it will roll and wont shift out of first gear what is the problem?

the problem is u have to take it to a transmission repair guy


97 Chevy z71 truck wont shift into 3rd gear?

97 Chevy Z71 truck will not shift into third gear.


Why won't my car shift to the next gear when its driving?

whats wrong if my car wont shift to the next gear automaticly when its driving


Why won't a transmission shift out of first gear on a 2001 ford explorer?

my 2001 ford windstar wont shift out of first gear.


Why wont your gear shift work after you replaced your radio in your 96 jag x300 xjsport?

there might be a short in the transmission wiring that might have happened when you swapped out the radio if it's stuck in third gear, that's probably the issue


1997 dodge caravan can move into each gear but it is not engaging or you cant feel it shift it just wont move?

Stuck brakes, broken axle shaft, failed transmission....


Why wont my 1997 Tahoe shift into gear when I press down the brake pedal It has automatic transmission.could it be my netural safety switch?

Stuck in Park? Check to see if the brake lights are working - shift interlock and brake lights are the same circuit. Try turning key to 1st (unlock) position without starting vehicle - shift to neutral to start vehicle and then shift to Drive


Whats up with my 1995 buick riviera the floor gear shift is in park but the indicator light says its in a different gear so it wont start?

if I'm thinking correctly its a bracket...


Why wont your 700r4 transmission shift into reverse?

the sunshell gear is stripped out


Why wont 1969 Mercedes 230.6 w114 shift to 3rd gear?

you could have of torn a spider gear