Automatic trans stuck in park

[~R.Dawg]

I have a 2000 Maxima with automatic trans. When we start it up and try to shift out of park, it is hard to push the button in. When it started doing this, we were able to push the shifter all the way to the front hold then push the button. Now it is a bear, wiggle, pray, ect.

Any ideas???

[sergey85]

have you had it checked out? how many miles? how is the transmission fluid looking?

[~R.Dawg]

The fluid was changed about about 75000. I noticed there is a clicking in the steering column. It has 110,000 miles. I haven't had it checked out yet. I thought I would ask here first.

[~R.Dawg]

It really sounds and feels as if it is the button itself. Once it is depressed it will work for a few parkings then it will stick again. This button is tied into the steering column. I can hear a clicking in the column. probuly the locking of the steering wheel.

[tech22]

Check the trans lockout switch located down by the brake lite switch.Its called the neutral safety switch.When you press on the brake you should hear/feel a click in the shifter.

[NissanTech]

I agree with tech22 but I a couple of question:

When you press the brake pedal to release the shifter from parking, do you hear a clicking noise around the shifter are?

Does the stop light comes ON every time you press the brake pedal?? (Please check several times)

[~R.Dawg]

Yes there is a click everytime I press the brake. What if soda was spilled around there? When I pryed up the rubber around the console it was sticky.

[NissanTech]

Originally Posted by ~R.Dawg

Yes there is a click everytime I press the brake. What if soda was spilled around there? When I pryed up the rubber around the console it was sticky.

The soda can cause the shifter solenoid to stick, very common problem. You have to used lots of electrical parts cleaner to get it off, but sometimes you have to replaced the solenoid to fix it.

[NissanTech]

Here is the diagram of the shifter to help you locate the solenoid

[~R.Dawg]

I took the shifter knob off but that is all I could get. Can you give me a summary of how I get to the solenoid? Thanks

[Maxdom]

You also might want to make sure that the brake lights come on when you press the brake pedal, as NissanTech suggested above, just to rule out a brake light switch problem. (I had that happen to me)