Shift Lock Button Stuck (95 Maxima)

[bvvu]

I am having problems with shift lock mechanism on my 95 Maxima. I can start the engine and remove the key fine but the shiftlock button is stuck no matter what. Occassionaly I can get it to release but there is not consisten pattern. I was able to release the shiftlock button with the brake pedal depressed and w/out.

I red in another forum about the brake light switch but I'm not sure exactly where it is or should I even try it.

Anybody with any knowldege of this who can help would be appreciated.

[DiS]

Are you talking about The button on the shifter? If you do, I had the same problem. What you can do is you can open up the shifter panel and look down where the stifer is going. Down there you will see a small hook-type thing. (when you pressing the shifter button, that thing moves, therefore you can move the shifter) So just move that hook-like thing manually (with your fingers) and you'll be good) I did that for about 3-4 times and then this problem stopped occuring. Hope this helps.

[bvvu]

How do you open the shifter panel. I can't find any screws any where.

[97wvmax]

r u talkin bout where p,r,n,d,2,1 are at or are you talkin bout the actual shifter?

[Spaz]

I've also been having a problem with my shifter. I start the car, press on the break, but the damned button just wont go in. I find that if I twist the button, applying pressure down on the front and up on the back while pushing in, it has helped. But I sat in the parking lot once for like a half hour tooling with the stoopid thing.

the nissan dealer said it'd either be the brake safety switch on the brake pedal (I think) or the actual shifter is a little sticky.

Is this the same type of thing you're having problems with?

[Spaz]

to add, BVVU,

The brake light switch, if I'm correct is just up from the pedal. If you run your finger up the shaft (huh, huh, shaft) from the break pedal, you'll come across a little 'T' that presses two little buttons in, I imagine one is for your brake lights and the other is the safety switch that keeps the shifter from being put in gear without the brake on.. you could try tooling with those buttons and it might click something to where it should be...

and by tooling, I mean pushing on the buttons... any further than that, just take it to the dealership.

[bvvu]

I found the fish hook thingy after opened up the shifter panel. The solenoid connect to the fish hook is very weak. When I press on the brake, it moved slightly but not strong enough to push the fish hook into unlock position. I can temporary unlock it this way for now. I will try a few times tomorrow and see if it works again. Thanks.

[Spaz]

How did you open it up? This'd be a good thing to know, I imagine.

[97wvmax]

yea that would be nice to kno!!!!

[bvvu]

There are two screws one on each side of the center console toward the back. They can be easily seen from the back seats if you push the front seat forward. Once these two screws are removed, you can partially lift up the center console. I meant partially because there are two additional screws in the front not accessable until you remove the panel surrounding the shifter. By lifting the center console up, I have room to pull up the panel surrounding the shifter. From there, I can see all the mechanic inside. I will try to get a digital camera to post the pictures later. Right now, I'm not sure what to do next, replace the solenoid or try to figure if the circuitry from the brake is messed up. I don't even know where these circuitry is. Any suggestion?

[Spaz]

I'd guess that anything that has to do with cicuitry, especially with the brakes or the tranny, I'd take it to the dealer. That's the route I'm gonna take.

Good luck.

[maximafever]

If I am not mistaken he is talking about the button on the actual gear shift that wont engage unless the brake is pressed this is a safety measure that most cars have on them to keep the car from being put in gear by accident. I had that same problem, what you need to do to get to the part that is not acting correrctly is simply is pull up on the plastic trim that is surrounding the gear selector and look down beside the gear selector and that fish hook like metal rod going into the plastic cylinder should be trying to move when the brake is pressed. Find the piece that is trying to move out the way and pop that out of the way with a screw driver or something. That will allow your shifter to move without the brake being pressed. I will caution that if you have kids that like to go and act like their driving then you will want to go and get the new part and replace it correctly, but I don't have kids nor do I let kids play in my car. I actually like it better and I took mine off almost 4 months ago and haven't once had a problem. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.

[Spaz]

Sounds like a good quick-fix for the situation, but at times I can be a bit spacey and I'd hate to throw my perty sleeper across a parking lot or something, you know? The problem, when it happens to me, tends to hit, then go away for a while (knock on wood), so.. if I can deal with it until i hit 72k, I'll just have them fix it when I take it in for servicin.