1997 Honda Civic Logo

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Posted on Mar 07, 2017
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I have a 97 Honda Civic EX auto, when I try to shift from park to reverse or park to drive it is very difficult and hard to shift and the lights do not light up on the console to indicate what gear you are in. Also, when putting into reverse you can hear it drop into gear but it does not correlate to the "R" on the shifter, it has to be slightly ahead of the R in order to actually reverse, if the shifter is at the R it just revs and won't go into gear. I have the same problem trying to get the car into park. It does not go into park until it is pushed hard forward of the "P". Once the car IS in gear, however, it drives perfectly and has no problems. Just wondering if this is an idication of a much bigger problem (transmission?) or if it is something that can be easily fixed? Sorry if my description doesn't make a lot of sense...hard to explain it. When the car is in drive, it does light up on the dash, but not when it is in park or reverse. Any help/insight/suggestions would be great.

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Bill Boyd

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  • Honda Master 53,816 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 07, 2017
Bill Boyd
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Indications from your description is that the shifter ( cable or mechanical ) is loose or out of adjustment and is jamming on the light position switch
If it cable , then have it checked out as with a 1997 model , there is a good chance that the cable is fraying or jamming and is the cause of the problems
if it is all mechanical linkage , then check for worn out bushes or rubber sections
you state that when gear it drives perfectly so by that statement , there is no transmission problems just selecting problems

1 Related Answer

Anonymous

  • 100 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 26, 2009

SOURCE: Gear shifter sticking (auto) from Park to reverse and vice versa.

you need to have the shifting cable lubricated or replaced.

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