Why would my 1998 Kia Sephia not go out of park?

Answer 1

I have a 2K sportage and mine would do that as well. What you need to do is take the center console apart, and look where the shifter is. When you press the shift release button, it moves a locking mechenism so you can shift. that locking mechenism is stuck, the button will press, but it won't unlock to shift. you need to lube it up, or like me, use something to keep it permanaley in the un lock position. all this does for safety is it's no longer required to press the brake to shift the car. it will not shift until the button is pressed though. If that's not the problem, you may have more serious issues. Also, if you don't want to tear the console apart. there is a little cover next to the shifter where you can put in a small screw driver, and that will move the locking mechenism as well so you can shift.

Hi:

Don't know if you've resolved this or not....good news/bad news. I had tghe same issue. Turned out to be a blown fuse. If you have no brake lights, you cannot shift out of park. There's a switch which activates when you apply the brake to hift out of park....no juice no shifting!

I have this same problem, myself. I checked the Brake Light fuse and it was OK. I thought, if the shifter release is connected through the brake lights, it may be connected elsewhere. So, I started checking other fuses to find the Turn Signal Fuse was blown. I replaced it and with the ignition in the "On" position, the turn signals worked fine. But, once I started the engine, the Turn Signal fuse, instantly blew. What's up with this? Why, would the shifter be wired through ANY part of the lighting systems? That's stupid.

Personally, I think this was done on purpose, to keep Kia owners going to the DEALER, to get these unheard of, yet critical glitches fixed. The last time I went to the local Kia dealer with a problem, I was told that it would be AT LEAST 2 WEEKS before they could even LOOK AT IT. I also saw a sign that said there was "$70 Minimum Charge", to put a car on their rack (lift) and a minimum "1 Hour" labor charge to do ANY work on a car. I did have some work done on my Sportage a couple of years ago and labor was, $80 an Hour.

Back to the problem. I have checked all 4 turn signals and they work fine, with the engine OFF, but the key in "Run" position. But, the moment I start the engine, the fuse blows and I cannot shift out of Park. I did manage to "Force" the shifter to "Neutral", but when I shut the engine off, I cannot remove the key.

Last winter, my 4-wheel drive went out. I took it to a local auto shop and the mechanic told me he had seen many Kias like this. I was told that the 4-WD is engaged at the hub, by a vacuum line from the engine by a set up not unlike a "centrifugal clutch". I was told it would cost $700 for aftermarket replacement parts, or I could buy "manually engaged" 4-wd hubs for abot $300 each (if I could find them). This expert mechanic, told me that the 4-WD was most likely designed to fail, as it's previous owner NEVER used it and I got a winter and a half out of it.

In the 2 years I've owned it, I've replace 2 power window regulators and 1 power window switch. I've peplaced the plugs and plug wires twice, as well as 3 or the 4 ignition coils. I've also replaced the ventilation fan "3" times. This car is a "problem" on wheels.

The only "warranty" work I've had done, was on the "Gauge Light Dimmer Switch". I was told it was not covered, but if I would pay the $68 for the switch, the dealer would install it for free. I asked if they could "wire around it" (who uses a gauge light dimmer switch?) and was told no, their mechanics didn't know how. I did it myself. Now, the gauge lights stay on "bright", but that's no problem for me.

If anyone knows how to fix the "turn signal / brake light" connection to the shifter, please add the info here. By the way, mine is a 2001 Kia Sportage Limited, 5 door. (Just WHAT is "limited" about it? Common sense?"

Answer 2

I know this is going to sound redundant, but make sure your engine is on and your parking brake is off. You might need to push your brake pedal. Other than that, I say maybe jiggle your steering wheel. sounds like youre shift lock may be broken but on the right side of the shifter there is a black dot the can be removed, remove that and there is a button undwerneathe there that you can push with a screrw driver or pen at the same time shift it out of park that button is just for that purpose