So last night I went out to my car and tried to go out for a drive but I noticed I was unable to shift from park to reverse. The release button was NOT letting me go anywhere. And yes, I am applying the brake while I try to shift to reverse but the release button will not budge.

The only way I could go get my car to move was to stick another key or object into the emergency release on the shifter which is located on the left side of the stick where you have to take off that small piece of plastic. This will let me move, but clearly this is not the way the car is to be driven.

Any ideas? I Would really appreciate any help or knowledge as I may have to wait until Monday to take my car to Honda to fix this.

 

transmission interlock failure. Dealer warranty issue. You did well using the emergency release (most people don't know it exists). It's there for a reason!

 

^+1. go back to the dealer

 

Figures. I'm guessing this has to do with the fact my brake lights aren't working properly either? haha

To the dealer on Monday!

 

Well on that note, I'd check the brake light fuse. But still there's an underlying cause; something's not right electrically.

 

I don't know if the fit uses a physical switch at the brake pedal but my father-in-law had the same problem with his sentra (brake lights didn't work and wouldn't shift out of park). All I did was replace the microswitch and it fixed both problems.

 

Check the brake light fuse first. If you have no brake lights that circuit is pretty simple, it is typically a bad brake pedal switch but it's also typically on a much older Honda.

+1 on the dealer if it's under warranty. Do check up under the dash on the driver's side around the brake pedal assembly, if you happen to find a loose connector or wire with a corresponding place to put it plug it back up.

Best of luck.

b

 

After my car had been in the shop. Something was left loose that was blocking the shifter cable and i had the same problem (minus the brake lights)

Probably not the same problem but the dealer will fix it.

 

one time problem or recurring?

 

First time.

 

so if it only happened once you probably just needed to turn the steering wheel

 

I don't think you understand. The steering wheel works fine and has nothing to do with the problem.

Normally when you start a car and want to reverse, you step on the brakes then with your finger you press the button on the shift and switch to reverse. But the button on the shifter will NOT release. The only way I can get the button to release so I can move into reverse is if I stick another key into the emergency release slot.

Anyway, I'm scheduled for service on Monday. So I'll let everyone know what the problem was.

 

Your brake switch or possibly your gear shift solenoid is faulty. To diagnose your problem get in your fit and turn off your radio, fan, etc so the car is quiet. Turn the ignition switch to position 2 and press on your brake pedal down and then release. When you press the brake pedal down you should hear a soft click or thump coming from underneath the center console near your gear shift. Repeat pressing/releasing the pedal if you can't detect the sound. It's pretty subtle. That's the gear shift solenoid activating which allows you to shift out of park. Have someone stand outside the car and have them watch the brake lights to see if they come on everytime you press down the brake pedal. If your brake lights do work everytime and you don't hear a click near the gear shift your solenoid or its associated wiring is busted. If both your brake lights dont work and the solenoid doesn't click then it's your brake pedal switch or it's associated wiring.

 

Brought the Fit to Honda. The issue was a bad fuse and blade (?). Fixed under warranty.

Thanks for all the feedback/troubleshooting you folks provided. Helped me better understand what the problem was.

 

blade-type fuse