im not sure what forum this should go in, but since i own a GS, i figured it should go here. anyway, my problem is as follows: i know that you should not be able to switch gears out of park without pressing on the brakes. well, i just recently noticed that i am able to switch out of park without even touching the brakes. if someone bumps in to it or what ever, the car will roll, even without the car being started this happen to anyone?? any ideas?? please help, thanks.

 

wow that's pretty weird. i am sure on mine i can't shift it out of park without the foot on the brakes

 

Even if its able to shift out of "P"ark without depressing the brake (weird).....your Parking Brake (lower left) should be set to stop any rolling. My advice....set your Parking Brakes.

 

PHML, i totally agree with you about the parking brake, but i usually dont use it, so there are/will be times i forget and i will be worried about it... but thats not the point, i just dont like knowing something is "wrong" with my car.

 

wow, thats used 2 happen on my honda but i really don't know what it could b with the lex, even with the car off thats really weird...hopefully one of the really smart techs here can answer that one..

 

hey guys whats up if I am not mistaking there is something called a "Park and Neutral switch" You should get that checked out. That is what basically tells the car what positon that the gear shifter is. Not sure but just look into that.

 

the mechanism below the shifter may be malfunctioning, when you step on your brake you should hear an ever-so-slight clicking sound...if you dont hear it...then something is def wrong...- have it checked out anyhow!

 

It sounds as though something is mechanically wrong with the shifter mechanism!! Did you spill anything by the shifter?

 

panda, the switch that you are talking about is called the brake switch (if i am not mistaken). on my previous car (mazda millenia), that part went bad and i couldnt switch out of park since that sensor did not work and it didnt allow my car to recognize i was pressing on the brakes (and my brake lights didnt even come on). now im not sure that if our GS's have the same thing, but i guess its a possibility...

letsride, i would NEVER allow anyone (not even myself) to bring any food or drink into my car , so i know nothing was spilled on the shifter mechanism... anyway, where is the shifter mechanism?? is that just a technical name for the gear?

 

I think it's called the "neutral safety switch" (it senses if the car is in "neutral" or "park"). This device acts as a safety incase it's in gear and someone tries to start it.

 

You should make it a habit to use the parking brake. As for the shifting....take it to the nearest dealership...FAST!!

 

havent takin it to get checked out yet b/c of MAJOR time constraints... but anyone know ANYTHING?? please let me know, thanks again.