Lust4Lexus

Hey guys,

I'm posting this question for my Aunt. She has an ES350 that was stuck in park recently. The car could had to be towed to the dealer... Dealer was not able to duplicate the issue, as it worked when the unloaded the car. So now my Aunt is nervous it may happen again. Anyone experience this?

Thanks!

Dave Mac

That's kind of unusual on late model cars. Was she parked on an incline and when they came to tow it did they get it out of park or drag in onto the truck while still in park? And could she start the car? I guess I don't even know how the ES park mechanism work with the smartkey system.

I don't think I would worry too much about it though. And without starting anything here is your aunt old enough for this to be operator error - foot on the brake etc.. I would think if the tow truck operator got it out he would have told her that before towing it away.

If you hear more let us know.

Dave Mac

MadMax96

Haven't experienced that - but it sounds like the little solenoid that releases the shifter when the brake pedal is pressed is on the fritz. Either that or the problem is between there and the pedal itself. If you listen carefully, you can hear it actuate when you press on the brake pedal.

What you can do to prevent from being stranded is to just pop out the little cover above the "P" shown in the pic. If you press and hold the button behind it, it will allow you to shift out of park. You should be able to press it with the key that releases from the fob.

jkutti2000

btw. I have one complaint against cars which is non key. like this one. For my keyed car, I cud put the key in and move the car to Neutral and it wud allow me to roll the car a few inches. but the LEXUS , u cannot have any power unless u start the engine. and then move to N. etc

overclock

Just press the start button without pressing on the brake.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

This is absolutely right. It's called "Shift Lock".

To the OP, show this to your Aunt so she knows should this happen again