Hope someone can help...

On my 97 Maxima (automatic transmission) the shift lever will not move on extremely cold days when the car is cold. Even the button which you have to press before moving the shifter won't budge.

The brake pedal is fully depressed before attempting to move the shifter. This problem has occurred each of the last two winters up here in the cold of Connecticut and doesn't seem to happen once the car is warmed up or the weather turns warmer.

A mechanic friend of mine thinks there is a lock-out solenoid in the shifter console which may be sticking in the cold weather...any one ever had this problem or any other clues what it could be?

Thanks In Advance,
Stan

 

Since you said it only happens on extremely cold days when the car is cold, I am going to say the transmission fluid is just really cold and thick. The same thing happens on my 5-speed here in Wisconsin when it is cold. The lower the temperature, the thicker or more viscous the transmission fluid is, so it is harder to shift until the fluid gets warm and thins out. I'm sure your mechanic friend knows a few things that I don't, so I wouldn't rule out any of his suggestions.