This is more-or-less the opposite of the experience that others have been having:

On my car, when the engine is running and is in park, I must press the brake lever to shift into R or D. That is normal, and I'm glad the car works this way.

The problem on mine is when the key is out of the ignition, I can shift into any gear I want. The key can be a mile from the car, and the shifter lever just moves; no need to apply the brake even.

It almost sounds like an inhibitor to me, which is a quick and easy fix. But I thought I'd ask first, and just can't see this question anywhere.

 

get under the dash by your brake pedal and look to the top of the brake pedal,Theirs two sensors Side by side one is for the tail lights to come on and one is for the Shifter to lock in place untill pedal is depressed.


alot of time the plastic cap brakes or decades,you gotta find somethin flat with a small center piece you'll see what im talking about when u get under their and see it, but i used a old bumper clip and pushed it in and superglued it over a year ago for both the tail lights and shifter interlock..



Good luck,

 

I have to disagree with Travis. What Travis is describing would be true if you were having a problem when the car was running and you stepped on the brake to move the shift lever. You are having a problem with the key interlock cable system.

This is a 100% mechanical mechanism. There is a cable going from the ignition switch in the steering column to the shifter mechanism in the console. The best of circumstances would be if the retainer clip came off at the shifter mechanism end. But it could also be that something has broken. Hard to say without seeing it.

When you when you turn the car off, you turn the ignition switch into what is called the "LOCK" position to remove the key. The steering wheel is locked and this cable locks the shift lever. If you turn the ignition switch one notch forward into the "OFF" position, the cable moves to free the shift lever. It is designed like this for being able to tow the car with the engine off.

Here is a diagram from the AT section of the FSM.

 

Thank you both, Travis and Dennis.

The problem was in the adjuster for the key interlock cable. All it needed was adjusting.

I didn't even know I had a key interlock cable until last night. I got it fixed at about 1 a.m.

I consider the problem I had to be pretty dangerous, by the way. But then, I like to overreact.

 

I think that interlock cable is an anti-theft type feature, more than a safety feature. But whatever the reason, it is something that is put on the car and it can fail.

 

I would like to chime in on this as well. I did not know if this was a manual specific problem or pertained to automatics as well. The other day I was driving and the key fell out of the ignition. Nothing happened after the key fell out and I was for a couple miles before I put it back in. Was this the original issue the OP was having? Does it sound like I have the same interlock cable issue?

 

You don't have the same problem as the OP. His was the transmission shift lever. Truthfully, I don't know what is causing your problem, my guess is that it is the part labeled "steering lock" in the above diagram.

 

i have always been able to pull my key out of the ignition AND shift while the car is off with no key in it. It doesn't affect the drivability or functionality.. So it doesn't bother me

 

Your problem is the key cylinder being worn out or your key is worn down. I could do the same with mine and was considering getting a new lock set but haven't pulled the trigger to order it.

 

I having the same problem in that I can't move the shifter without the key in, and key can be taken out in any gear. With key in I do not need to put my foot on the brake to shift out of park either.

Does anyone have experience in inspection and adjusting the key interlock cable? I read in the FSM that lengthening the cable may fix the problem but isn't clear on how to do it.

I am a bit stumped on how to remove the centre console to get access to the key interlock cable but am working on that. FSM doesn't show this very well.

 

Now that's pretty weird. I rang 2 Nissan dealerships and they told me there is no listing for a Key interlock cable for Australian model Maximas. I even gave them the part number and everything. They said there was only a listing for a "Lock solenoid" (#34970). Maybe that is why I can move the shifter without the key in.