Help: Can't remove key without disconnecting battery and shifter stuck in park
 

Hi y'all,
Yesterday I parked my '08 Fit Sport, and it felt a little weird when I put it in park. when I turned off my car, I was unable to turn the key all the way and my key was stuck in the ignition. The shifter was also stuck in park. The only way I could get the key out was to disconnect the ground on the battery. Then, the only way I could get the car out of park was to press the unlock key to the left of the shifter. I also, cannot start the car unless the car is in neutral. I'm guessing there's something wrong with the parking lock in the shifter. I would like to try and fix it myself if possible. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!

The steering is probably locked, turn it either left or right (opposite of where the wheels are turned) and try to turn the key while doing this. The car should start.

I don't know why the key got stuck though.

It does sound as though either the park position switch is broken, or the shift linkage is out of adjustment or otherwise giving problems. The car doesn't seem to think it's in park when the shift lever is in park; this could be because it's not actually there (the linkage is blocked or misaligned or something), or it could be because the switch is bad.

I'd be extra sure to use the hand parking brake in addition to putting the transmission in park when stopping until you figure out what's actually going on. I wouldn't think it's too tricky of a problem to diagnose, though it might possibly involve some less than easy to access bits.

Yea, I think it's something like you're describing. Is it very difficult to access the parking lock? Anyone know of some good instructions? I read somewhere that someone fiddled around in this area and fixed it because something was misaligned (it was on an accord or something, though)

Try putting the car in neutral using the key switch. Make sure the parking brake is on though.

Then try to start it, see what happens.

I can start the car ok, but I can only start the car in neutral (with or without the brake pressed). It's actually changed a bit since I posted where I can put the car in and out of park if I don't bring the shifter all the way forward where it gets stuck. but I still can't start the car in park and i have to get out the take off the negative of the battery to get the key out. any suggestions?

Your ignition key interlock is messed up. You need to get to sa dcealer asap to have the program re-flashed. In park, foot on brake to start is standard op. If you can't do that, see dealer immediately. Meantime see what you can do if ignition stps and drive without power assist. A lot of young women were totallally unprepared if you watch the news.

That might be true, but I think the shifter/park interlock is also messed up because if i barely put it into park it's ok, but if i push it further, it gets locked up and i have to press the override. Do you think any parts will be required to fix this? or just labor?

The only way to really know if any parts need replacement is to figure out exactly what the problem is. Not very helpful, I know, but it's the truth.

I wouldn't think that there would be any particularly costly parts broken. (And, unlike mahout, I don't think there's any real chance of any computer needing reflashing or reprogramming, nor does it sound like you have any problems with the car shutting itself down—the ignition switch doesn't sound faulty at all. I really think it's just a misalignment or blockage in the shift linkage, or a worn out park sensor switch, or something like that. The park switch lets the car "know" that the transmission is in park, which enables the starter and disengages a solenoid that prevents the key from being removed and locking the steering. I suspect, but don't know for a fact, that this may not even involve the ECU at all—it could well be just some hardwired circuitry.)

I recall someone here having a somewhat similar problem that turned out to be caused by a rather large nut that a squirrel had stashed in the shift linkage mechanism.

DrewE, I think you're right about the shift linkage being misaligned. it feels mechanical to me. I feel like I could get an idea of what's wrong if i can get inside. Does anyone know where I can find instructions to get access to the shift linkage?

There is Honda Fit TSB 11-055 says that shift cable getting damaged or stretched.
The same Honda TSB tells how to replace the cable, so the istructions can be helpful even if the root cause is not exactly the same.

So I found the below information about the service bulletin. Sounds exactly like my problem. Anyone know the cheapest or a free way to access Honda Fit TSB 11-055?

TSB

11-055

September 30, 2011

Applies To:
2007-08 Fit - ALL

Transmission Does Not Shift Into Park; Key Cannot Be Removed From the Ignition Switch

SYMPTOM
The transmission does not shift into Park, and/or the key cannot be removed from the ignition switch.

PROBABLE CAUSE
The shift cable is damaged from debris lodged in between the cable end and the transmission case.

CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace the shift cable and the shift cable cover.

PARTS INFORMATION

Shift Cable:
P/N 54315-SLN-A82

Shift Cable Cover Assembly:
P/N 24900-RME-000

Lock Washer:
P/N 90511-SLN-010

TOOL INFORMATION

KTC Trim Tool Set: T/N SOJATP2014

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

The normal warranty applies.

Operation Number: 8411T2

Flat Rate Time: 0.7 hour

Failed Part: 54315-SLN-A82

Defect Code: 01801

Symptom Code: 03234

Skill Level: Repair Technician

Any luck finding the info?

Call a dealer and ask the parts department if they can print the TSB.

If that's the case, then the shift cable end is probably visible from under the hood. I would look to see if you can verify any damage, etc.

Fist check is to remove console to see if cable has stretched.

I'll see if I can get some help from the dealer this weekend, but I'm not sure if they will look under the hood with me without charging me the $110 diagnostic fee. Where would I look for the shift cable end under the hood?

The cable end cover is located under the place where the passenger side CV axle enters the transmission, so it can be acessed if the car is deriven on ramps or on the lift. Please check your pm !!

After removal of console inspect cable and parking pin switch located right under shift lock override slot.

I finally was able to take off the console and take a look at the shifter.

I also have uploaded a copy of the related service bulletin here:
http://www.filedropper.com/hondafit0...bulletin11-055

However, I don't believe it applies to this case because when I looked at the shifter cable on this end, it didn't look damaged. I do have a feeling that it is damaged or obstructed on the other end because of the way the shifter gets stuck, but I don't have ramps to be able to look at it on the other end. I took a video of moving the shifter into park and then pushing it a little farther forward where it gets stuck. I'm not exactly sure why it does this or how it's supposed to work. See it here:
2008 honda fit shifter stuck - YouTube

I noticed a little switch that gets pressed when it gets into the stuck position, could it possibly be a bad switch? are there any other switches that might be bad that would cause this problem? Any ideas?