Kia Sportage 2002 - shift issue

[Janye]

I have a 2002 kia sportage. It has now retired to my winter only vehicle as it needs soo much maintenance. The only thing my good ol backyard mechanics have not figured out is why sometimes the car will not come out of park. Yes, it was shut off in park and yes, the break is pressed down and the nob is pressed to move it.

Its random, when it happens, you have to leave it like 5 minutes before it will work and actually move out of park. This was when it was being driven 80 kms or more a day. It has not done it since it is only moved every few days to make sure the darn thing still has kick.

It's also an automatic and 4wd is working (for now, some shaft thingy needs replacing the summer)


Any advice for my backyard help ?

(PS: both are certified mechanics who work for different dealerships )

[tlstotelmyer]

There is a pin that locks the shifter in place until the brake is depressed. Sometimes when its cold the plunger or whatever it is will stick and not want to work or if soda or something sticky is spilled in the shifter area. Removed the shifter cover and check it out. If it all looks clean then it may be the plunger itself or the signal from the brake pedal isnt reaching it. Also there should be a little plug that can be removed on the shifter cover that in an emergency it can be removed allowing something like a screwdriver to be inserted to unlock the gearshift in case of a failure. Hope this helps.