Mazda 3 Gear Shifter Repair (Stuck in Park)

This video shows how to get your car into gear if the shift lever gets stuck in park.
By the way... the fuse kept blowing because the horn was bad. The horn and the shift solenoid share the same fuse. I replaced the horn and haven't had a problem since. The horn is behind the front bumper and you have to get to it from underneath the car. It's a PITA to replace. If you want to keep from having to replace the fuse over and over, just don't use the horn and don't hit the "lock" button on the key fob more than once.

[@septembersapphire347]

Your wife is certainly lucky to have you 😊 A man who can fix things is DEFINITELY A KEEPER!!! 😉

[@sam1174]

I just read this to my wife. For about the 20th time in two years. She used to smile. Now she just rolls her eyes. :-)

[@septembersapphire347]

@@sam1174 I still stand by that 😉👍

[@sam1174]

@@septembersapphire347 Now you're just p!$$ing her off. LOL!

[@Devo1987]

@@sam1174 I have this but my fuse is ok what could it be ?

[@sam1174]

@@Devo1987 It could be the solenoid in the shifter, or maybe just a bad brake switch. Do your brake lights work?

[@rick86615]

This just happened to me. The 15A fuse under the hood was not blown, but the 10A fuse under the glove compartment was. They are both designated for the horn according to the owner's manual. I replaced both just to make sure and it now shifts out of park correctly. Thank you, thank you for this video!!!! You rock!

[@WiseToTheLies]

My man! You just saved me from being late and fired from work! Thank you!

[@Kinjo2008]

I got to say I'm stuck here in a parking lot with my Mazda 3. I've been here about 20 minutes struggling to get my car into gear. Started Youtubing videos and came across yours. Worked perfect. Life saver bro. Thank you. 👍

[@Devo1987]

was it fuses for you ?

[@TheNightyzz]

I came here to say this. I'm in my driveway and stuck in park -worked great

[@RByrne]

Thanks for this. My parents were hours away in northern ontario 10mins ago..no one around to help. My dad called told me he was having this problem panicking, no joke did a quick search and watched this vid and they were back on the road in under 5mins. hes got bad health problems so it could have been bad if they were stuck.

[@sam1174]

Thanks Ryan. Comments like this make me glad I make these videos.

[@XLCuban]

Thanks mate, 7 years later and this video helped me the day before Thanksgiving at the grocery store stuck in park! I have 2010 Mazda 3 and used a mini flathead to utilize the manual bypass you showed to get into gear and head to the auto parts store. A 2010 is also a 15A fuse but there's a lot more of them. The easiest way to find the right fuse is to look under the fuse box cover and it will list the fuse locations with a diagram. Find the fuse listed as "STOP". My fuse lid had a white fuse puller attached inside that I used pull the fuse in the diagram and confirmed the internal link was broken. $4 for a box of 5 mini fuses. Replaced the fuse and the lid had slots to store 4 spare fuses next to the fuse puller for convenience if you need any later. Hope the additional details helps someone with a slightly different engine fuse box due to year and trim ☺️😉

[@Babababooey]

Hey I have a 2010 as well. Would it be possible for you to show me a picture if which fuse it is and also what you mean by fuse puller? Sorry im not so good with this type of stuff. Thanks

[@XLCuban]

@@Babababooey here you go. I created a quick video 😁 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWfaoYJ_ZZqGqa8

[@VirgoVision]

You are a lifesaver with this video right now! I’m sitting in the car with 2 kids panicking about why my Mazda won’t come out of park. Thankfully I always keep pens in the car. Thank you for sharing!

[@dominator311]

Thank you so much for posting this video! My Mazda 3 has been getting stuck in park at random times for almost a year and it was driving me insane. I put a screw driver in the hole next to the shift lever as instructed, heard a pop and then my car finally was able to shift out of park. I replaced the fuse as well. Thanks again, this was very helpful!

[@ashleystocker8731]

Thank you for this video! We were just about to take it to the mechanic when I came across your video. This worked perfectly on my 2007 mazda 3. Saved us $$$ and time. Instructions are great.

[@neonpickle8254]

Thank you so much. It's awesome how people like you will go out of their way to post stuff like this. Got stuck at a gas station and had no idea what to do! Thank you!!!!

[@MadTrapper1]

Worked perfectly on my 2004. I notice that I have spare fuses under the lid of my fuse box, maybe that's not every year? Thanks for this video. You speak well sir.

[@piewars12345]

I was so happy when I saw those along with the little tool in mine 😂

[@kayhaning1550]

We have an 04 Mazda 3 and have been having the same problem. I wasn't aware of a fuse or that sticking something in that hole would work. I have been getting mine to shift out by hitting the knob several times and have been afraid I would break something in it. So thank you so much for this video! This definitely saves me time and headaches trying to figure it out and saves my wrist and shifter knob from injury as well lol

[@Warlordhunterx]

Thanks dude! Easy, fast fix to get home. I was stuck downtown during a rainstorm on a weekend night!

[@-east-coast-florist]

JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME GET OUT OF A 2HR FIGHT WITH MY SHIFTER..!! I THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS A LIL BUTTON INSIDE AND I COULDN’T FEEL IT. SO ONCE I TRIED IT AGAIN, POOF I WAS ON MY WAY. LIFESAVER STATUS..!! HAPPY NEW YEARS

[@Omnidolor]

Thank you for this! It gave me enough information to get me going to fix my Mazda 3 2010 (which has a slightly different fuse configuration).

[@brianroy1427]

Thanks so much! What I thought could cost me hundreds was actually a simple fix. On my 2004 Mazda 3 there is a tool included inside the cover of the fuse box to take out the fuses.

[@reynaldohernandez9052]

Thank you SAM you don't know how much you have helped me by making this video thank you again SAM

[@DavidValley1981]

Very helpful video! Got me out of a pickle in no time. Thanks for sharing!

[@mixes4208]

Man you saved my life and my time . Thankful for your amazing vedio . God bless you and your wife's car ❤️🙏🏻

[@VisaFan81]

what an easy fix, fuse box would had been the last place to look for, Thanks man!!!!

[@Zeldamaster-rs6bw]

My grandfather made fun of me for not knowing the engine in my new car, you helped me show him up by fixing my car with a straw and a pair of pliers from a gas station! Thank you for the Serotonin:)

[@benjaminonlyway8051]

Thank you. I figured out how to override the shifter with sticking a screwdriver down in the hole but I had no idea a fuse controlled the mechanism. Changing the fuse worked and fixed the brake lights, a problem I had for a while. Thank you again! Great help!

[@martinlunsford1077]

Honk your horn and see if the fuse blows again. The problem on my wife's car was the horn. It's behind the front bumper and a pain in the butt to replace.

[@isaiasbalbuena6356]

Very useful information, I really appreciate this valuable info, thank you.

[@johnayala2957]

Thanks you save my night my wife called me with this issue and we were about to call AAA but thanks to your video I was able to move the car to our driveway now I just have to get a new fuse and see what happens next :) thanks alot !!

[@PhilipReese]

Thank you for this video. I was driving for Uber and nearly had a panick attack when my car wouldn't shift into gear while I was stopped in the middle of the road picking someone up! Fortunately and unfortunately it wasn't the fuse that was the problem. After about 20 tries it finally allowed me to switch into gear. I'll have to look into replacing the switch and/or solenoid. For now though, I stuck a straw in there and cut it off with a small tab sticking up, then put the cap back on over it so it's nice and hidden. Lol

[@jadencarmichael7948]

hey man I'm having the same problem. I just wanted to ask if you found what the problem with your car was? My fuse also isn't blown and my brake lights are out. I think its the switch but im not sure...

[@ryreinhardt]

@@jadencarmichael7948 could be the brake light switch, that fuse, the shifter soleniod or the mega expensive power junction box under the glove box, hopefully it's the brake light switch, next to the brake peddle..

[@jakehammer3828]

My dude! I thought I was gonna have to spend a ton of money! Your video was awesome every other video I’ve seen was to do the pen trick or some other crazy stuff. That fuse was the problem thank you!

[@sam1174]

The fuse probably popped because your horn is bad. The horn is behind the front bumper and when it goes bad it causes the fuse to pop. If it keeps happening, replace the horn. (It's a pain in the but to access).

[@julieroach5970]

Thank you. This worked perfectly for me. I used the pen top.

[@whitfobj1]

THANK YOU!!!!!!! This worked perfectly and got me out of a bad spot. THANK YOU!

[@kimee1512]

I was stuck at the pick up window at IN N OUT with a huge line behind me yesterday finally got it to move today went to CVS did it again but this time it wouldn't go. I only had a crochet needle with me and I accidentally broke the little rectangle but my.neefle.fit perfectly. I did have to remove it to get to drive though! Thank s a ton!!!

[@pinoybaguiovlog166]

I did this. It works great. Thank you from Philippines! 🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@AngelesSophiamartinez]

Having this problem you just saved me thank you

[@gw2451]

Thx, my Mazda 3S gets stuck in park slot. You've spared me from a big trouble.

[@Thedmcke3]

Thanks Sam! Saved me from being parked on the middle on the road!

[@emilyb15]

Thanks for posting this. My car is sitting at work for this very reason, now I know what to take with me to fix that little sucker!

[@pragneydeme2538]

Thank you so much for sharing useful information.

[@septembersapphire347]

This video is genius! My Mazda was literally experiencing the SAME PROBLEM but lucky for me my dear cousins husband came over and showed me how to do EXACTLY THIS and so now I won't have to worry about getting stranded. Thanks for posting. I know this will help many people and I'm sure Mazda HATES you for it! 😜

[@sam1174]

My wife said "but you like me and that's what matters." :-)

[@jamescymbor1809]

OMG...this video saved me from calling a tow truck. The fuse fix didn't work for me but we'll get it looked at.

[@juliesannicolas5949]

Thanks for this video. You saved me from getting stuck.

[@septembersapphire347]

Nope he's gonna marry ME! LOL😄

[@connybrown8940]

Thank you so much for this video. I am hoping it's not my transmission. This is what I will be checking into. Very helpful!!! 👍

[@vincentlamaro8539]

Never been so happy to see a pen! Thanks mate

[@dipidity89]

I have a 2011 mazda 3 and this worked perfect for me thank you thank you thank you

[@chrislei120807]

Thank you for this video. Helps a lot!

[@Andy1Andy21]

Thank you for this.l was having this problem,found you tried it and it worked,l can't thank you enough. You are a lifesaver!❤

[@danwilson7636]

It worked within 5 seconds ..... Thank You Sir !!!

[@dannyload8817]

thank you so much saved me alot of money on towing my daughters car to the repair shop.

[@sam1174]

Glad I could help. Check that fuse! If it's popped, replace it, then blow the horn and see if it pops again. In my case, the horn was bad and it would pop the fuse any time the horn blew, even if it was just the chirp from clicking the remote.

[@nessaabad1547]

Thanks for this! The pen trick worked!

[@rc8839]

Super tip!! very helpful. keep up your good work.

[@andreamcguirl9443]

Thanks! This got me home tonight!

[@augustgene5732]

Thank you so much for making this video. I'm a college student and was looking at no way to campus an hour away.

[@adriancam1]

You sir just saved My life today, got My car battery dead and needed to park it, didn't have a screwdriver, so i used a straw folded in half xD

[@shadyone33fanofgsp]

You saved my ass bro. I was in the parking lot at the shopping mall. Cheers bro!

[@sam1174]

+Shadyone33 The Outlaw Glad I could help out.

[@ronnysantana4155]

You are a life saver! Thank you thank you thank you

[@frankcampos9341]

I did this! It’s fixed🙌 Thank you

[@jefflin2576]

Thanks for the video. I had this problem about a year ago. Fuse kept blowing after using the horn. They replaced the airbag clockspring which fixed it. Recently, had the same issue with brake lights not working, shifter stuck in park, blown fuse. Not sure what the root cause is this time. But, I definitely won't be pressing the lock button too many times on the key fob (I had never thought about that engaging the horn). At least I know exactly which fuse to replace if this happens again.

[@BirdYard23]

Awesome Vid! thank you. Things to note hot weather (above 100) gear maybe be too hot and for some reason cause it to stick! If that’s the case shake the shifter around in park and lightly step on the break. Next thing is wiring by the brake that that and wiggle those around then push it together until it’s really tight. Another thing is the fuses 15 A (not low profile!) you can get them in a pack at an Auto Shop for 4 bucks. I honked the horn a couple of times after installing them just for the hell of it cause I don’t think that does anything. Anyways hope maybe these help

[@Team_Tennant]

Thank you!! I was stuck at a petrol station!! ♥️♥️

[@kristasewell5071]

It worked! Thank you!!!!

[@ashwinpatel2121]

I am at gas station; I just fix/help someone's MAZDA Thanks for video.

[@sam1174]

Thanks! I love the positive feedback.

[@Pony6487]

Very helpful - thanks!

[@santiagoperez626]

Amazing. Thanks !

[@chicasgamerscolombia8412]

Awesome ! Thanks a million !

[@lexicazares8549]

Just so that you can understand the extent of the problem, within the past 3 years my dad, my best friend and then my husband died ...so I am literally alone in life. And even though I was really close to my dad and we worked on cars together the cars we worked on our all antique Fords...So I get into my car this morning and it won't go into gear and I could feel the tears starting to swell up in my eyes. I Googled it found your video and it worked perfectly and I cannot express how much I thank you for this video and thank God for you. my fuse box differs from yours so I'll have to look through the manual to find the fuse but oddly enough just by pressing that button my gear shifter is working my cruise control is working and my brake lights are also working. And that's after turning the car off and then restarting it. But I don't even care right now LOL thank you again so much thank you thank you thank you. I wish you your wife and your family a happy New Year

[@trav7424]

Bro! Thanks you for this!!

[@courtneykeys6860]

Thank you, sir!

[@crazyeye1]

Sometimes in the Vegas heat where I live my Mazda 6 stays in park but I giggled the shifter left and right a few times and it releases. Looked under the hood and fuse is fine. Sometimes weather makes it stick, for me at least.

[@mayamarch9353]

Amazing thank you so much

[@Johnnyfromthe6]

This man is a legend

[@sam1174]

Thanks!

[@bobsyerdragon]

Dude! Calling down blessings on your head right now. Thank you!

[@jasonschwanke916]

this happens to one of my cars and it is always a pain to unlock it manually like this. i am using a small nail though and not a pen that fits perfectly into the hole so i sometimes have to wiggle it around for anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes. will definitely try to find something that fits the hole better and see if that helps until i have time to fix the underlying problem.

[@kayewortman8759]

OH YEAH!!!!...Excellent vidio...now that I have pulled out all my hair ..You saved me money from going to the Great Vlips..lol...but really THANK YOU !!..you was awesome

[@irrepetibleheber]

Thanks a lot...! You save me

[@breow67]

Thank you!

[@Ninja666ism]

The real mvp!!

[@murry001]

Must be common, my Mazda 3 BL 2010 is doing this too at random, will try check the fuse!!! thanks

[@alisonspera1955]

Hi Sam I have a Mazda Axela 2005 - would the fuse for this be the same? It looked very similar when i compared it to my fuse box. Thanks

[@bobsoft]

Not sure what years it applies to, but on a 2007 there is a shift lock relay (R24) located in the passenger side junction box below the glove box. You will need to know how to solder to replace that, or you will have to replace the whole junction box (auto wrecker)

[@E.T.VerballyDyslexic]

Hey brother thanks so much. Hope you’re still around to answer a quick question? My brake lights are all good and horn seems ok. Can I just keep using the pen trick permanently? Also I have a transmission leak we thought this was the issue the whole time. We think we fixed the leak but we keep adding more the last day and it seems totally full like no more fluid will go down into the funnel and into transmission. So this means I’m full and good to go yea?

[@michaelfokas8884]

Great video! My wife has an 04 Mazda 3 Hatchback. Shifter is constantly getting stuck. Recently I've had success by flicking the lights on and off and it would allow me to shift .. but that method has slowly stopped working. I took out the fuses and they all looked good so I'm not sure what else could be causing the issue. The screw driver method in the hole worked but I'm hoping to find a more permanent fix

[@rafayyousafxai954]

whenever i apply brake during parking position, a click sound produces in the gear ... how can i fix this problem your reply will be highly appreciated

[@abdullahnajjar8342]

Hi, My 2010 Mazda 3 has been getting stuck in park at random times for almost a year, but it driving very well. The shifter has been stucking insanely since last week. After nearly 20 tries it goes to Drive. where is the fuse location in 2010 Mazda 3.

[@jrploftv]

brake light sensor

[@sylvestersebi6679]

I just did it and I saved my money...

[@sam1174]

Excellent! I'm glad this helped. The root of the problem is probably the fuse. If you replace the fuse and it pops again, it's probably your horn. The fuse for the shifter solenoid is also the fuse for the horn. On my wife's car every time she would blow the horn the fuse would pop, even if she just double-clicked the lock button on the fob. The horn is behind the front bumper on the left side. It's awkward to get to, but you can reach it from under the car. A replacement horn costs about $15 at an auto parts store.

[@cochin123ify]

What about a Mazda6 2003 model where theres no key for the ignition , theres no place where you can put that pencil and i can't pop the hood ? Its abandoned and i don't know what to do ? Thanks for any advice....

[@jkturtle]

thank you!!

[@haydencoker9721]

you just saved me haha i got stuck at the petrol station when it happened to me

[@sam1174]

+hayden coker Isn't KZbin awesome? Just about anything you want to know how to do is on KZbin.

[@gumballgaming3660]

Gracias... 🙂..👍

[@minhthuand106]

Thank u so much U save me today at lince costco gas😅😅

[@decade146]

Thanks!!

[@racheldimitri8421]

Thanks heaps Mine goes into gear after a few minutes but only happens when a hot day usuallyNow I know how to fix itThanks heaps

[@jerzychivvy]

so I stuck a pen in there like you did here but it was a bit thinner and completely fell into the hole lol. -_- totally fixed my problem but now how do I get it out?

[@eddiereyna1155]

Nice on my 2011 Mazda 3 the cigar lighter fuse controls that shift Solenoid

[@starcoolbaejayson6408]

I was looking for the fuse on my 2011 mazda 3,thank I will go check again

[@monig7241]

This morning, when heading out for 2nd trip of the day, my Mazda 3i was stuck in park. Did some Googling, found this and other videos. I hope the issue is simply a fuse but before I do anything I noticed video title says Mazda3, but he says in a "Mazda 9-3" .. are they that similar?

[@anthonyp291]

how do you use the manual shift in this car?

[@Dannyleborw]

I followed these steps and it did not work. I changed all 4x15A fuzes and still did not work. I have a 2006 Mazda 3 2.3L hatchback. Any other recommendations as to which fuze needs to be replaced?

[@sam1174]

In that case, it might not be a fuse. It could be the brake pedal switch or a bad/stuck solenoid on the shift lever. Do your brake lights work properly? Does the horn work?

[@jakematranga6349]

Thank you bro just saved my ass

[@JonahLongworth]

Ours only gets stuck sometime then will go into gear after letting off the brake for a minute so what could be wrong with that

[@itsonlyamazda4671]

Mine is stuck in the manual mode after crashing into a ditch but the speedometer says it’s in neutral could it just be a cable popped out?

[@bodrysdale2469]

how would i get that gray piece of plastic off? the plastic piece that shows the PRNDL letters fell into the cavity below the shifter

[@kinglui11]

Can you tell us exactly what that fuse on the cap says it's for? I have a 2012 Mazda 3 and fuse box is different

[@charminsworld]

luis martinez I have a 2012 as well. Did you ever get it fixed. If so, was it the fuse? Because I'm having the same issue

[@bryanalejandro7385]

cant get our mazda 3 into gear from park when i just started the car but work perfectly when engine warms up.. kinda weird

[@nataliaransfield-turanga8296]

What fuse should I be looking for on a 2011 Mazda axela?