Car stuck in Park.....

[Progdor]

I have a dead battery on my automatic Vibe, and I have to push it out of my parking space to jump it, but when I tried to put it in neutral, the shifter wouldn't budge....Yes, I had the ignition on, and yes it normally shifts out of park for me.....Does anyone know why it's doing this? And does anyone know how to use the manual gear shifter that is to the right of my stick? THanks for the help

[Progdor]

Problem solved.....

[northvibe]

did you find the shift over-ride button next to the shifter? It might have that little cap over it but its on the right of the shifter base (aka on the other side of the shift indicator).

[VivaVibe]

The owners manual explains how to unjamb it with that little hole on the cowl. However, it states that if you use that method you need to take it to the dealer to have it reset.

[ZubenElGenubi]

Quote, originally posted by VivaVibe »The owners manual explains how to unjamb it with that little hole on the cowl. However, it states that if you use that method you need to take it to the dealer to have it reset.Where does it say that? {Zuben goes rummaging through his owner's manual} In my 2004 manual it says this about shifting out of park (page 2-31):1)Turn the ignition to LOCK. Make sure the parking brake is applied.2. Carefully pry the shift-lock override small, round cover from the floor-shift console, located to the right of the shift lever. 3. Insert the end of a flat-tipped tool into the circular slot and press down firmly.4. While maintaining brake application, move the shift lever into the drive gear you want.5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as possible.You don't need it reset. If the battery dies, you can't shift out of park unless you use this feature. Don't think you need to take it back to the dealer to get a new battery.

[VivaVibe]

Perhaps I am mistaken, but when you press down in the hole it moves a piece that needs to be repositioned from below.

[2002sportside]

I sure hope not, we do it on the Focus at school all the time. Pretty sure the piece is spring loaded... I'll have to look into that.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by VivaVibe »Perhaps I am mistaken, but when you press down in the hole it moves a piece that needs to be repositioned from below.No, it doesn't. There is no reset procedure if you use the override. It resumes normal operation immediately.