We just replaced the alternator and the serpentine belt in my 1999 ZX2. Now the car is locked in park. I can put a screwdriver in to manually release it out of park. It isn't a fuse. Brake lights are both working. Is there any way (other than carrying around a screwdriver) to fix this problem?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance. I checked with AutoZone, they tell me I need a Neutral Safety Switch (?) a part that is like $200??? Okay, so I guess I'm looking for a cheap fix.

 

That sounds right. That's about the same price as the one in a friends '04 Maxima I replaced. If you can get a junkyard replacement go for it. The only other choice isa screwdriver. Good news isthe '97 -up Escort/ Tracer sedans and wagons all have the same auto shifter as yours.

 

Sorry but cheap fixes are hard to come by these days lol. I just wanted tolet youknow,I had a bone head from auto zone tell me i needed a neutral safety switch one time i replaced it guess what same problem it turned out I had a malfunctioning ignition switch that was some how locking the neutral safety switch.i replaced my ignition switch car was fine took the new neutral safety switch off replaced it with my old one and it still worked the same. Now the only problem with autozone is they will throw them expensive suggestions out there but when it comes time to return that part that did you no good,,well here is the exact phrase you will here sorry but we can not make refunds of any kind on electrical items...Id almost put money on that!! They could be right but the point is if not thats one pricey part to replace if you dont need to..

 

Usually you can dismantle the shifter assembly and remove the plastic interlock by bending or breaking it. May sound crude but it is a cheap fix.