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Asked: Oct 12, 2008 - 11:23 AM

Status: Closed

We have a 2007 Mazda CX-9 with about 16,000 miles. Today, could not put car in park. Have not had this prolbem before.

CX9 with 16000 miles. Drove car this morning and upon returning home, could not put car in park. Can shift into other gear placements fine, car runs fine, but cannot put in park and cannot turn key to off position to remove so have to leave car in neutral with key still in ignition. Anyone have any ideas what could be causing this?

In Makes & Models > Mazda > CX-9
In Maintenance & Repair > Transmission > Shifting
In Maintenance & Repair > Electrical > Switches
1 answer - 409 days ago

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karjunkie

Date: Oct 12, 2008
Time: 03:23 PM

Usually the problem is the shift interlock system is malfunctioning. The system has an actuator mounted at the base of the steering column that determines when the brake pedal is depressed and releases the gear selector. This prevents shifting the car from park into gear unless your foot is on the brake. Before you go to any expense checking this, try opening the plastic cover around the shifter and spraying a good dose of WD-40 all around the shift linkage as your problem may just be a sticking part in the mechanism. If this doesn’t work, you'll need to have the actuator checked out by the dealer since it is still under warranty. Most cars and trucks have an emergency release which is a hole near the shifter or a button under the plastic shifter housing. You insert your key into the hole or press the button, shift into neutral and start the car. Then you do not put the shifter back into park until you get the car to the mechanic to fix the actuator.

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