Cold Weather -Honda 1990 Question

Hello

I have recently observed a weird behavior my car does and is happening
only in Cold when the temperature is below 20F or so... Problem occurs
only when (I have to run short errands) My 1990 Honda Civic car is not
fully warm enough.
In this condition, when the car is not fully warm / or engine has not
been running for v.long time when put the CAR in Park mode, my Key from
the ignition does not come out. Earlier I thought this was stuck due
to freeze and there for I purchased several liquid sprays that would
help de -freeze the key, so that it comes off easily from ignition.
But apparently I was wrong here because Key still never came off, with
Car in Park mode.
Closer observation showed me that actually When car was brought in
Park mode the Par Light on the display never turned ON. After waiting
inside the parked Car for roughly 25min or so when Car was fully warm
enough I saw Park light turn ON and immediately Car keys from ignition
released and came off.

Does any one know what actually is happening and what possible
symptoms my car is exhibiting

Thanks
Foz_m

You are describing old dried out grease on some pin or lever or switch.

As grease gets old it can dry out so it gets stiffer in the cold or it
picks up dust and dirt and acts the same.

This 'could' be related to the shift linkage being slightly out of
adjustment or getting worn so it is almost flipping the switch and the
cold grease is 'just' holding it. Adjusting the linkage might force the
switch to go all the way with the shifter. You might need a new linkage
or cable or whatever it uses if there is no adjustment.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/in...?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

wrote:
>
> Hello
>
> I have recently observed a weird behavior my car does and is happening
> only in Cold when the temperature is below 20F or so... Problem occurs
> only when (I have to run short errands) My 1990 Honda Civic car is not
> fully warm enough.
> In this condition, when the car is not fully warm / or engine has not
> been running for v.long time when put the CAR in Park mode, my Key from
> the ignition does not come out. Earlier I thought this was stuck due
> to freeze and there for I purchased several liquid sprays that would
> help de -freeze the key, so that it comes off easily from ignition.
> But apparently I was wrong here because Key still never came off, with
> Car in Park mode.
> Closer observation showed me that actually When car was brought in
> Park mode the Par Light on the display never turned ON. After waiting
> inside the parked Car for roughly 25min or so when Car was fully warm
> enough I saw Park light turn ON and immediately Car keys from ignition
> released and came off.
>
> Does any one know what actually is happening and what possible
> symptoms my car is exhibiting
>
> Thanks
> Foz_m

Mike
Thanks for your response. Is there a method to check out and determine
the fault?

Thanks
Foz_m

If you are going to start to do some of the work on the vehicle, I
highly recommend you get a basic maintenance manual. The Haynes one
isn't too bad and is in the twenty dollar range. The factory one is
best, but expensive. The Haynes covers most basic stuff well.

It will have step by step how to adjust the gearshift linkage and where
the switch is located. It might just need a spray clean with something
like WD40 and a fresh spot of grease.

I know my Jeep and a few other vehicles like old Volvos, but not
Honda's. A switch is a switch though...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/in...?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

wrote:
>
> Mike
> Thanks for your response. Is there a method to check out and determine
> the fault?
>
> Thanks
> Foz_m

I have a 91 honda and experience similiar problems. I notice a
solenoid sound kicking in each time I press on the brake pad. When I
press on the brake pad, I can then release the shift lever. I do not
know if the problem is internal within the solenoid or external.

Have you found out any further information about this problem? Please
email and let me know. Thanks.

wrote:
> Hello
>
> I have recently observed a weird behavior my car does and is happening
> only in Cold when the temperature is below 20F or so... Problem occurs
> only when (I have to run short errands) My 1990 Honda Civic car is not
> fully warm enough.
> In this condition, when the car is not fully warm / or engine has not
> been running for v.long time when put the CAR in Park mode, my Key from
> the ignition does not come out. Earlier I thought this was stuck due
> to freeze and there for I purchased several liquid sprays that would
> help de -freeze the key, so that it comes off easily from ignition.
> But apparently I was wrong here because Key still never came off, with
> Car in Park mode.
> Closer observation showed me that actually When car was brought in
> Park mode the Par Light on the display never turned ON. After waiting
> inside the parked Car for roughly 25min or so when Car was fully warm
> enough I saw Park light turn ON and immediately Car keys from ignition
> released and came off.
>
> Does any one know what actually is happening and what possible
> symptoms my car is exhibiting
>
> Thanks
> Foz_m

Hi,
I am having 99 Honda Civic and facing the same problem in Car key. Car
key does not come out of ignition lock very easily. Sometimes it comes
out so quick and sometimes it takes 10-15 minutes to come out. Any idea
how can this be resolved? I was told to buy some grease or something
and put it in the ignition lock. Will it help?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ramesh.


wrote:
> Mike
> Thanks for your response. Is there a method to check out and determine
> the fault?
>
> Thanks
> Foz_m