Shift lock problem

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tao - 17 Oct 2007 15:07 GMT

I have a 2002 Maxima, Auto trans.. Even with the brake depressed I
cannot shift out of Park without depressing the manual shift lock
release switch at the base of the shifter. I broght it to a Nissan
dealer and they siad the shfit has a internal failure and need to
replace a whole shifte ( part cost is about $300). They replaced with
a whole new shift assembly, but the problem is not fixed ( the same
exact problem as before). They claimed that the new part is a bad one
and ordered another new part. However, the problem still wasn't fixed.
I don't think they even know the root cause . My car is still at the
dealer. Any recommendations or sugguestions are appreciated.

Thanks,

Tao

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JimV - 18 Oct 2007 03:21 GMT

> I have a 2002 Maxima, Auto trans.. Even with the brake depressed I
> cannot shift out of Park without depressing the manual shift lock
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Tao

Do your brake lights work?

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Al Moodie - 18 Oct 2007 03:53 GMT

>I have a 2002 Maxima, Auto trans.. Even with the brake depressed I
>cannot shift out of Park without depressing the manual shift lock
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>I don't think they even know the root cause . My car is still at the
>dealer. Any recommendations or sugguestions are appreciated.

As I read the workshop manual, it says two conditions must be met
before you can move the shifter:

1) The ignition key must be inserted and turned to "ON"
AND
2) The brake pedal must be depressed (stop light switch activated)

According to your report when you do both 1) and 2) you cannot move
the shifter.

Easiest thing to check is 2). When you depress the brake pedal it
closes a circuit in the "stop lamp switch" which sends a signal to
allow the shifter to move (as well as turn stop lights on). Remove
both connectors from the stop lamp switch and attach a multimeter set
to measure resistance. When you depress the brake pedal it should read
0 ohms (short circuit), when you take your foot off the pedal it
should be infinite ohms (open circuit)

If the stop lamp switch is OK, then other possibilities are:

1) Ignition switch is faulty (doesn't send the correct signal to key
lock solenoid).

2) Key lock solenoid is faulty. This device should also prevent you
from removing the key from the ignition unless shifter is in park.

3) A device labelled A/T Device. This device houses:
a) "detent key switch" (manual shifter release)
b) Shift lock solenoid (operates the shift lock
c) Illumination lamp

4) Shift lock control unit, which you say the dealer has replaced

The workshop manual has a fairly simple fault tracing routine which
dealer should be able execute, hopefully.

Al Moodie.

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