2005 MPV, Shift Lever Problems
 

All,

I have a 2005 MPV, and have taken it to the dealer a few times over this issue and they dont seem to get it.

Here is the issue: when I shift from Park to Drive, or from Drive back to Park, and let go off the shift selector, it seems to put the transmission into the new gear. However, sometimes the shift lever is not fully "engaged" forward into the locked position. It sort of sits there in limbo inbetween. It cant be moved (without pulling it back towards you) up or down, but its not all the way "in" either.

What ends up happening is that we will be driving down the road, hit a small bump, and it will finish dropping into Drive, giving us quite a startle. The other side effect of this issue is that, with the power sliding doors (which we are also having problems with right now and the dealer cant seem to replicate but thats a different issue). They will only operate when the vehicle is in Park. So we pull up to get the kids from school, shift into Park, and then hit the button. Well, the transmission is in park, but because the gear selector is not fully seated, the electronics dont realize we are in park, and the power doors cant be opened.

Anyone seen this? Sorry if the description is not that great. The first time we took it to the dealer their solution was "make sure it is fully seated each time you shift". Wow.

Thanks for any advice.