How to Unlock a Transmission

1. Turn the vehicle off and take your foot off the brake. Turn the key to 'IGN' and depress the brake firmly, listen for a clicking sound from the brake shift interlock solenoid. This component 'tells' the car the brake is engaged and the transmission can be shifted into gear.
2. Shut the engine off. Take your foot off the brake again. Turn the ignition to 'ACC.' Depress the brake firmly. Try to shift the car into 'Neutral,' then start the car. Attempt to shift the transmission into 'Drive.' Listen again for the solenoid click. If you do not hear the click, the fuse may be out; go to the next step.
3. Retrieve your vehicle's owner's manual. Open your vehicle's fuse box. Find the fuse going to the brake shift interlock solenoid using the owner's manual as your guide. Replace the fuse. If you cannot replace the fuse, find the override lever under the dash. This is usually an orange or red lever that will manually disengage the locking mechanism. With your foot on the brake, press the override lever toward the front of the vehicle, then shift the car into gear.