Honda Repair: gear shift problem, brake light switch, shift problem


Question
QUESTION: Hello:
I have an Acura 2.5TL, 96, 5 Cylinder, mile about 220,000.  the car has been running very well until recently i start having issue with gear shifter stuck at park.  Normally, when i  start the car and step on the brake pedal, the gear shifter should be able to move. but now it's always stuck at P . In order to get it move, i have to continuously step on the brake pedal for about 20 sec and until I hear a "click" noise then the gear shifter would be fine. beside this the car is running smoothly, i am still driving everyday. I like to know what is the problem and how much does it cost generally to fix. the car is old so i don't to spend too much money.  thanks
min

ANSWER: This sounds like it may be the shift interlock solenoid going bad. HOWEVER you will want to check to see if your brake lights are coming on when this problem happens. If they don't come on that means that your brake light switch is the most likely cause of this problem. The power goes through the brake light switch to get to the shift interlock solenoid.

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QUESTION: Hello:
thank you for the answering my previous question.  i just a test today, when the gear shift is not moving, i step on the brake pedal and notice the brake light is not on. Until, i near the "click" noise when i keep stepping on the pedal,then everything is okay, brake light on, shift gear moves.
if this is problem with the brake light switch, it this something i can fix myself?  I m not a pro, but i know a bit about car. thanks
min

Answer
Most of the time these are easy to replace. The switch is located on the top of your brake pedal. There will be several wires going into it. Most of the time they are just bolted on. Some have an adjustment. Be sure you make a note (or just mark) where it is adjusted so the new one will turn the brake lights on at the same time...Or you can just adjust it so it turns the brake lights on when you start pressing the brake pedal.
Most likely you will be OK fixing this yourself.