Automatic Trans Shifter
 

I noticed today while I was putzing around with my new 96 Protege LX that if I push the button in on the shifter, I can shift to any gear I want - which is good. The only bad thing is that it works when theres no key in the ignition, and it doesn't matter if I've got my foot on the brakes.

Is that normal?

don't know about this model, but most of cars require you to push the brake pedal down.

by pressing the brake pedal down it move a solenoid in the shifter which allows the movement of the shift lever. I would say give your dealership a call and ask them if there is a brake pedal activated solenoid inside the shifter.

good luck!

Yeah. In my other cars, you've always had to have your foot on the brake to shift.

I noticed that when it's in park, and you push the brake, I can hear a clicking, like on my other cars, but it doesn't seem to catch.

i would say your solenoid is broken or something. if you feel comfortable, you could take off the shift cover (first remove the knob) and you should be able to to see the solenoid. play with the brake and see if it moves. and see the switch it suppose to pull/push is moving or not. if you get this far and found out the solenoid is dead. you should be able to go in and order a new one and replace it yourself. good luck!

Leo

It happened to me too. I looked at my solenoid and all it needed was some WD-40. It simply was stuck in the open position, and I could shift all I wanted. Just take a look at it, I am sure it is not a big deal.

Well thats good to hear! Now, how do I get down there to get to it?

It is right behind the brake pedal. You should be able to see it, it is not that hard to find. If you still have troubles finding it, look at the owner's manual if you have it, or buy a Chilton's one at NAPA or something. Goodluck.

Cool. I will look in the morning. Need to run some wires for a police scanner anyway.

And here I was going to go lookin near the shifter!

(Can you tell I'm not really a car guy?)

No, biggie. Thats what we are here for. Good luck.

Why fix it??? I bet someone disconnected it because they can actually remember to put their foot on the brake before putting it in gear. I think it's an annoying thing from the Audi 5000 "unintended acceleration" days!!! You know those product liability lawers.

Well I got the console out (I've now got the car in about 100000000000000000000000000 pieces!). The selenoid does move, but it appears to be busted. It's not attached to anything. I did notice that when you move the shifter all the way back to 1st, a little metal bar pushes on it. Hmmmmm I'll go take a few a picture or two and post them.

I suppose I could have it fixed, but depending on how much it would cost, I'm not sure it's worth the $$.

Ok here's the pics:

http://home.insightbb.com/~curly/shifter1.jpg
http://home.insightbb.com/~curly/shifter2.jpg

so it is in the shifter! it's similar to my car but not exactly (the inside of the shifter. I assume the black piece is the solenoid. is the silver u shape thing suppose to hook to it? Usually there should a piece that blocks the shifter button from going any further. By pressing the brake (moving the solenoid) moves/switchs that piece which allows the button to be pushed. good luck!

The black piece with the U shape on the end is the selenoid. When the brake is pushed it moves forwards.

The silver U shaped part in front of it moves along with the shifter. The other silver thing right next to it (funny shaped one, more towards the middle of the shifter) moves when you push the button in the shifter in.

few questions.

1. so the solenoid is working?
- get it replace if it's not.
2. solenoid is not attaching to anything else?
- it should be or at least be pushing something when pressing the brake pedal.
3. does the shift lever make the clicking sound when shift?
- If it doesn't, you have a bigger problem. Can be fixed if you know the shifter well enough. Otherwise, bring it into the dealership.
4. can you locate the piece* that moves when the shifter button is pushed in and out?
- If you can't, that means something is broken or missing. That piece is the 'lock', which prevent you from shifting unless the button is pressed.
5. put the shifter in Park. Can you find a moving part that could block the piece* (moving piece when pressing the shift button)?
- if not, something is missing. this piece is what the solenoid pulls/pushes.

that last moving part should be connected to the solenoid. When pressing down on the brake pedal, it moves the "moving part" out of the way so the moving piece* could be free.

there should a spring or something that pulls the "moving part" to the lock position at all time. The spring could be missing which allows you to shift in and out without pressing down the brake pedal.

it's kind of hard to describe without being there. Good luck!

Thanks for the help. I've posted a couple more pix:

http://home.insightbb.com/~curly/shifter-park.jpg
http://home.insightbb.com/~curly/1stgear.jpg

I labeled the parts, and what they seem to be doing.

The selenoid does move when the brake is pushed, but from looking at it, and pulling on it a little bit to expose it, it looks like the plastic might be broken.