Hi, first tech post.
I just bought an '02 EX 2.3L for my daughter's first car. The car seems very solid -- might need a little brake work (some pulsation up front) but generally it seems to run and drive (and shift) smooth.

My concern is -- the shifter moves with VERY little effort and I think the lock-out mechanism may not work properly.
One small nudge can move the shifter from D4 to N. Seems to me that could be catastrophic if the cruise control is set and someone bumps the shifter.
Also, there seems to be no lock to go from D4 to D3.

This isn't normal is it? Is there something in the shift mechanism that is worn that I can replace?

Thanks

 

What you describe sounds exactly like how my 2001 shifter operates; I think the only true lock per-se is Park.

 

Hmm, weird.
I just see a blown engine when the shifter slides into neutral with the cruise on.

I guess a lot of cars have no lock between D and N, but most would be difficult to bump accidentally.

I wouldn't be as worried about it but the shifter moves with almost NO force. The first time I drove it I put it in D3 accidentally because there's almost no resistance once it's past neutral.

 

Hmmm, I've had my virtually identical 2001 for four years now and other than occasionally selecting D3 when coming down from Park, I've never had an issue with the shifter moving anywhere I didn't intend it to go.

As for a blown engine from shifting into Neutral from D4 while on Cruise Control; won't happen. Why? The engine has a rev limiter to prevent such an occurrence (as well as numerous others).

 

I'm with Shipo, a lot of cars shift from auto to neutral quite easily(usually without pushing the shift button in). I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Good to know. When it comes to new cars I have a tendency to find phantom issues.

Sure, but coasting along in neutral bouncing it off the rev limiter wouldn't be doing ANY engine any favors and certainly COULD cause catastrophic damage.

 

A quick tap of the brakes will immediately deactivate the Cruise Control and the engine will return to idle. To make sure your daughter is aware of your concern, take her for a drive on a lonely stretch of highway, explain the issue to her and how tapping the brakes will cure it, and then pop the tranny in Neutral.

Once she's experienced the engine trying in vain to keep the car at speed, she'll recognize it again if it ever happens inadvertently.