Gear shift lever not moving lower gears (D3, 2, 1)

[reddyc]

Hi all,

Can anybody know why my '06 Pilot gear shift lever not moving to lower gears (D3, 2, 1)? Also VTM4 button is not working, are they related?

Thank you in advance.

[Underdog]

My 04 was doing the same thing (Except the VTM)

Binding Shifter cable. Replaced cable everything is fine now.

FYI...........the cable ain't cheap either.

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by reddyc

Hi all,

Can anybody know why my '06 Pilot gear shift lever not moving to lower gears (D3, 2, 1)? Also VTM4 button is not working, are they related?

Thank you in advance.

Are you sure you are using it correctly?

The shifter sometimes feels like it has a funny pattern.

[reddyc]

@underdog, Thank you for the niformation

[reddyc]

Yes I am using it correctly. It is not all moving to lower gears.

[rocky]

Its too young to be having the problems that a small number of salt belt states have had with their shifters.

Please check the owners manual for proper operation not just of the shifter but also VTM4 lock.

[whizmo]

I'd definitely look at the manual and fiddle with the shifter before declaring something is wrong. The column shifter detents are quite non-intuitive for many drivers. I never had much problem with them, but my daughter flat CANNOT get the thing to downshift without my coaching her through it.

Some gear changes you have to pull the lever quite a ways toward you to get past the detent, others if you do, it will lock you out of the change. What works for me is to first apply downward pressure on the lever for the shift so that I can feel the detent, then pull the lever enough towards me that it just moves past the detent.

I doubt the VTM4 problem is related. Again, I'd read the manual to see how to engage it - you may be doing something wrong. As I recall, you have to have the transmission in Neutral (not Park) to be able to engage the VTM4 and have you to be either stationary or below a certain speed (18 mph?). And read the limitations on when you should use the VTM4 - it is basically to be used only on loose surfaces when you're stuck or at slow speeds and at risk of getting stuck. You never want to engage it on pavement, although certainly doing a brief test to see how it works would be Okay.

- Mark

[N_Jay]

Try the VTM in reverse.

It only works in 1, 2 and R.

[samc]

Since you're a new poster, did you just buy the car or is it not shifting to D3 and below all of a sudden?

If you're new to the pilot then did you know you shift into the lower gears without pulling the tranny shift-arm towards you. I know it sounds a bit weird but once you're at D just pull the arm slightly towards you (not the normal pull) and pull the shifter arm down.

As questioned by N_Jay, does the VTM work in reverse? Goto reverse and hold the brake, press VTM-4. Do you see it light up?

[whizmo]

My bad, N_Jay is correct - you have to be stopped, the engine has to be running, and you have to be in 1, 2, or R gear for the VTM4 lock to engage. If you can't get the car in 1 or 2, that's the probably the reason the VTM4 light won't come on, but you should be able to get it on in R.

- Mark

[dolsey01]

I just started having the exact same problem with my 2007. I didn't ever notice it until I was getting my trans fluid changed and they wanted me to shift through the gears and it wouldn't go into D3, 2 or 1. It does work sporadically so my guess is it's got to be related to the cable. I only have 33K on my Pilot but I have been starting to have problems related to NOT driving it enough. My rear brake calipers seized in place from rust.

[N_Jay]

I'm still betting it is the funny shift pattern.

Before you "noticed" the problem, how often did you use D3, 2, 1?

[dolsey01]

Maybe once or twice in the six years I've owned it. I do hit D3 on accident frequently though. I'll pay attention tonight when I drive home and see if it's a ID 10 T problem or not.

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by dolsey01

Maybe once or twice in the six years I've owned it. I do hit D3 on accident frequently though. I'll pay attention tonight when I drive home and see if it's a ID 10 T problem or not.

You would not believe the number of posts on this topic back in '02 and '03.

[xGS]

Originally Posted by dolsey01

I just started having the exact same problem with my 2007. I didn't ever notice it until I was getting my trans fluid changed and they wanted me to shift through the gears and it wouldn't go into D3, 2 or 1. It does work sporadically so my guess is it's got to be related to the cable.

The early Pilots used to ship with a hang tag (see below) that illustrated the shift pattern.
You have to pull the shift lever towards you to shift between P, R and N.
The lever will then slide freely between N, D and D3.
To shift from D3 into 2 or 1, you again need to pull the shift lever towards you.
The shift pattern is not unlike that used with some console shift levers, except that it's positioned on the side of the steering column instead.
If you still encounter difficulty, then have the cable (and the brake light switch) checked.