2004 Odyssey - Gear shift locked upon starting

I have this same problem with my Odyssey. The dealer first says this is a security feature that is in the minivan. The first time the gear shift locked up, we were parked (with the motor running) up hill. When we took the van for service we were told to take the key out of the ignition and punch the key in that little spot on top of the steering wheel. Well, this happens so often now, it's not safe to drive anywhere with my kids.

This past two weeks the gear shift locked four different times, only once on an incline. The other three times the surface was flat. This has happened on and off for over two years and is very frustrating.

My Odyssey was taken into HONDA for service again today for this very reason. No one has heard of this problem and has no clue as to what to do. Of course, it hasn't occured for the HONDA Rep however the gear shift did lock up for my husband so the service dept will at least listen to us now.

The green key light flashes when this happens also. Yesterday, it took 20 minutes before the gearshift lit up P (park). You are probably the only one that knows how many times I had to take the key out and punch the steering column.

Please let me know if your service dept ever comes up with anything. Our HONDA Rep says he'll continue to research the problem.
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On 3/20/07 they replaced the range sensor and the A/T gear position switch, so far so good!!!
When they ordered the part it was three weeks waiting on backorder.
The same week I wrote on this website, I also wrote to the company headquarters and sent 24 letters to random Honda dealers across the states, my dealer wasn't thrilled to have people calling them with suggestions or home office, but something got done.

Good luck!
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