My winter beater (91 acura integra RS) is acting real funny.

When I shift from park to reverse, the gear selector lights go out and will not let me select a gear.

So, I place it into park, and the gear light for P does not come on. I turn the engine off and then on, and still no P light. I wait a few seconds, and it comes back on.

My feeling is that there is a sensor that detects what gear is selected is going bad. Is there 1 sensor?

Also, in the past week, noticed it was difficult to take key out as it does not think that I'm in P and does not let me take out the key (even though the P is red).

 

What you're expierencing is a pretty commong problem in generation 2 Integra's. I've been having the problem myself for the last few months and it's a real pain in the rear. From what I've been told, it's a gear position switch that may be the issue. The cheapest solution is to get a spare key made and use that. I tried that and it didn't seem to make any difference. The Acura dealer will charge $50-60 for the switch. I originally thought letting the car warm up for awhile would help it, it really hasn't. My current solution is leaving the spare key in the ignition and put any security devices on (The CLUB, alarm etc.). I get too fristrated after sitting there for a good 10 minutes playing with the key.

 

Ok thanks! I've got the part on order from my Acura dealer, so hopefully, this weekend, I'll have it all fixed. So far, the sensor isn't too bad yet, so hopefully it can stay alive long enough for the part to come in. It was around $56 from the dealer (I'm sure I can get it cheaper from Hparts, but I'm in a bit of a hurry).

 

P/N 35700-SK7-A01 purchased from my Acura dealer for $50.90 (w/ tax).


Tools needed:
Phillips Head Screwdriver
10mm socket
Ratchet
Extension
Small Flat head screwdriver
Time to Install: ~ 1 Hour

First is to remove the center console.
1. Remove center two screws above radio:

2. Remove the two screws on the left side of the console

3. Remove the two screws on the right side of the console (same location as the left side)
4. Remove the left side knee trim screws (2 screws), but I did not remove the trim piece. Picture is of the right one.

5. Now remove the same two screws from the right kneee trim.
6. Remove the right trim by sliding up and out.
7. With the right side knee trim removed, you will see two screws holding the right side of the console, remove these two screws.

8. Now you have to remove the same two screws from the left side of the console. I was real lazy and did not remove the left knee trim. With the two screws out of the knee trim, I was able to move the knee trim out of the way and remove the two screws from the left side of the console. Be careful not to pull too hard and break the knee trim.
9. With all the screws out, shift the transmission to 2 and remove the console.
10. Now you should see the gear position sensor. Remove the two 10mm bolts as well as cutting the zip tie.

11. Now you will see the connector. Remove the 2 pole and 10 pole connectors by using a flat tip screw driver and pushing on the tab. The 10 pole connector is on the right and the 2 pole connector is on the left.

12. You will notice that the connector block is held in by a metal tab.

To remove, go on the back side and push down on the tab below the metal tab with a flat head screwdriver and push the connector block from the front toward the engine.

13. With the connector off, you will have one two pole connector left to remove. To remove, move the plastic tab against the rail to remove the connector as show in blurry picture.

14. Now you should see how the gear position sensor works. This knob moves the slider that is on the gear position sensor. The old one's metal contactor had worn a deep groove so I suspect that is why I was getting intermittent problems.

15. Mount the new gear position sensor w/ the two 10mm bolts.
16. Place a new zip tie that replaces the one you had cut off.
17. Now reconnect all the connectors on the new gear position sensor before you plug the block into the metal tab.

18. Shift the gears to make sure that the new gear position sensor is functioning correctly.
19. Replace all the trim pieces.

Here's the picture of the old gear position sensor. You will see the deep grooves in it. I suspect that this should work the same way (except the center console removal) for other Honda/Acura automatics.

 

Looks like you did a great job. Where did you get the directions to do the replacement? I think I'll do mine soon, it frustrates me every day.

 

I asked my parts guy at the Acura dealer to give me the parts view around the gear postion sensor. He said that I need to take the console off and that's it. So, it took me some time to figure out all the screws on the console and how to get it out. Then took some time figuring out the best way to remove all the connectors.

I also had an electronic copy of a Helms from somewhere and it was pretty basic in terms of description so it wasn't much help. All it confirmed was that it was two 10mm bolts that held the gear position sensor down.

Other than that it was just pure paitence to figure out how all the trim and connectors came out.

Thanks for the headsup on the sensor!

BTW, the part is quoted around $56.50, but my parts guy gives me a break on parts, so I got out of the dealer for $48.02+$2.88 in tax.

Good Luck, it's really not too bad. It can be done in under 1 hour.