Transmission stuck in park

1998 MAZDA 626
109,000 MILES • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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WMARTIN94
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  • 5 POSTS
My car cranks and runs. But stuck in park cannot change gear to drive.
Jul 7, 2018 at 6:33 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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  • 110,175 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

Your vehicle is designed with a park lock system which will only allow you to shift from part when the brake is applied. When the brake is applied, power from the brake light switch is sent to a solenoid which then allows you to shift from park.

The first thing I need you to check is if the brake lights are working. Do this first and let me know what you find.

Take care,
Joe
Jul 7, 2018 at 9:05 PM
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WMARTIN94
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  • 5 POSTS
Brake lights work fine.
Jul 8, 2018 at 3:34 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Hi again. If the lights are working, then either the shift interlock actuator or the cable which is the problem. I have attached several pictures for you to review. I do not know if you have a column shift or floor shift, so I attached both. The first pictures are for a shift lock override. It will allow you to shift out of park so you can use the car until it is fixed. The other pictures are of the aforementioned components. They are exploded views. Note, on the floor shift, the actuator is at the bottom of the shift lever. Also, picture 4 is part of the wiring schematic which shows the interlock and its position.

Let me know if this helps.

Joe
Jul 8, 2018 at 8:47 PM