Shift Lock

Discussion in 'Modifications And Maintenance' started by MBOUTBACK, Jun 22, 2007.

  1. MBOUTBACK
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    MBOUTBACK Active Member

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    The car was parked on a hill and after I started it, it wouldn't shift into drive (automatic transmission). I looked it up in the manual and it said that if that happened I had to override the "shift lock" by shoving a screwdriver into the small hole in the cover of the gear shift. That worked and I drove home. The manual said that I now have to take it immediately to a Subaru dealer for service. What's going on? Can a regular shop do the repair? It seems to drive alright, but was making a bit of a funny noise, in the transmission.
    We've owned the car for one whole week! It's a used 2000 with 70,000. We're hoping this won't be a huge repair.
     
    MBOUTBACK, Jun 22, 2007
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  2. Shibbs
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    Shibbs The Daywalker

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    Easiest way to avoid this - use the handbrake.

    Park on hill, leave trans in neutral, holding brake with foot.
    engage parking brake, release foot off normal brake
    then shift to park so no load is on the trans.

    No more shift lock problems evar.
     
    Shibbs, Jun 22, 2007
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  3. Shibbs
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    Shibbs The Daywalker

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    Actually......

    Better solution:

    5mt or 6mt swap.
     
    Shibbs, Jun 22, 2007
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  4. pksublime
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    pksublime Well-Known Member

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    YES manual transmissions FTW
     
    pksublime, Jun 22, 2007
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  5. John16V
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    John16V Well-Known Member

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    Have you check you fuse? (The one behind your coin tray?) Try checking the brake light fuse. One time my old rs (Auto) had a blow fuse and it won't let me shift into gear.

    Try that first before you pay somebody else to do it.

    Good luck
     
    John16V, Jun 22, 2007
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  6. WRX1
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    WRX1 _ Staff Member

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    Well, the shift lock has nothing to do with the tranny its self. When in park and you step on the brake, you should be able to hear the relay click. If not, you have some electrical work to do. Start with the relay and the wires coming off of the shifter.

    Russ
     
    WRX1, Jun 22, 2007
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  7. Dynapar
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    Dynapar Well-Known Member

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    If you do need to bring it to a dealer, keep in mind you can get a sweet deal at BP or MTKA subaru. (like 10% off labor, 20% parts!)
     
    Dynapar, Jun 22, 2007
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  8. MBOUTBACK
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    MBOUTBACK Active Member

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    Ok for now

    Thanks for the advice...Yeah I'd love to drop a MT in it, but that's time and monies I don't have now. As for the problem, it seems to have been a fluke or the result of the steep hill...

    I took it to my mechanic and he looked at it all and gave it the ok.

    Don't worry my fiancee will be using the parking break from now on ;)

    Thanks for all the help!!

    -Markus
     
    MBOUTBACK, Jun 24, 2007
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  9. Michael48
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    Michael48 Member

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    I'm checking this out, the car won't shift unless the release is pushed.

    The car has a recent dent in the front that caused the car to stop instantaneously. So Im in the process of repairing it :ugh:and some other parts of the car at the same time, I hope.

    The thread: http://www.mnsubaru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33341
     
    Michael48, Jun 21, 2009
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