1997 Honda Accord automatic stuck between park and reverse

Question

After starting my 1997 Accord automatic in park, I tried shifting to drive, but the gear selector got stuck between park and reverse. This had happened a few times previously, but it was easily resolved just by jiggling.

Eventually I gave up and had to shut off the engine. It was on a slight grade and started drifting so I applied the emergency brake and chocked the wheels.

I tried putting the key into the gear shift release, but that didn't help, shifter is still stuck.

It's been this way for a few days now.

Any ideas how to get the shifter unstuck?

(Update:

I tried:

1. stepping on the brake pedal while the key is in the "II" position

2. stepping on the brake pedal while the key is in the shift lock release hole

3. removing the knob of the shifter like in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZl5IIv4MHk and pressing down on the vertical shaft directly both with the key in the shift lock release and also with the key in the "II" position )

Answer 1

Based on details in comments, I think what happened is that you forgot to step on the brake before taking the trans out of park. Don't feel bad, I've done this myself after automatically stepping on the brake without thinking about it for years . . . until I didn't.

So I think what happened is that you forced the shift lever against the brake interlock mechanism and either bent it or broke it. So now it's stuck in an intermediate position and won't move in either direction.

At the risk of causing further damage, you might try to depress the button on the shift lever and then slowly and carefully force the shift lever back to the park position, using no more force than you used to break it. If the car gods are smiling on you, the mechanism will bend back where it belongs and all will be well.

But if this goes like car troubles usually go, as @HandyHowie suggests, you'll have to start disassembling the gear selector cover and whatever is under it to find the brake interlock mechanism and either disable it or repair it.

Or have the car towed to someone who can fix it.