My mother was driving about doing various things, and when she had gotten back in the car, she started it up and shifted into drive but the car wouldn't start moving. She called someone for assistance and he told her to pop the hood and put on the Emergency Brake, then physically reach in to shift the car into gear so that she could drive it to him to fix. He suspects it's a lost transmission cable, but he wants to take a closer look when we get there.

Problem is, we have no idea where that is to do that. Can someone explain this to me?

Putting it into drive while you are standing outside the car, in front of it, even with the parking brake on is completely stupid and anyone that would suggest such a thing for your mother to do is an IDIOT. You could get killed this way.

Have the car towed to a reputable place that doesn't have idiots working there that would suggest trying to put a running car into drive while under the hood.

If it won't shift out of Park, the problem may be a blown fuse. Check all under dash and under hood fuses with a test light or multimeter. If the problem persists, you will likely have to replace the Neutral Safety Switch (Transmission Range Sensor). It is located on top of the transmission and is relatively easy to replace. The procedure will be similar to that below.

How-to Remove and Install a Transmission Range Sensor (TRS)

The Neutral Safety Switch is part of the TRS.


REMOVAL:

1. Place gear selector in Neutral.
2. Disconnect negative battery cable.
3. Remove air cleaner and air cleaner outlet tube.
4. Disconnect electrical connector to the Transmission Range Sensor (TRS).
5. Remove retaining nut (13mm) and control lever from transaxle. Use a large adjustable wrench or suitable wedge, to prevent the control lever (i.e. shaft coming out of the transaxle) from rotating.
6. Remove both TRS mounting bolts (8mm).
7. Remove TRS.


INSTALLATION:

1. Clean and lubricate the shaft coming out of the transaxle.
2. Align the Neutral alignment marks on TRS, using a pair of needle nose pliers. This accomplishes the same thing that the Alignment Tool does; i.e. lining up the two slots on the TRS wheel with the “V” index mark on the edge of the TRS.
3. Install the TRS, ensuring it is fully seated on the shaft, and loosely install both mounting bolts.
4. Verify alignment.
3. Tighten TRS mounting bolts 9-12 Nm (80-106 inch-lbs.) and remove tool, if used.
4. Connect electrical connector to TRS.
5. Install control lever--tighten retaining nut 11-16 Nm (98-141 inch-lbs.). Use a large adjustable wrench, to prevent the control lever from rotating.
6. Install air cleaner outlet tube and air cleaner.
7. Connect negative battery cable.
8. Check for proper operation with parking brake control engaged. The engine should start only in Park or Neutral.

Some vehicles have to have their foot on the brake pedal to release it from park. Check to see if the brake lights are on and go from there

Putting it into drive while you are standing outside the car, in front of it, even with the parking brake on is completely stupid and anyone that would suggest such a thing for your mother to do is an IDIOT. You could get killed this way.

Have the car towed to a reputable place that doesn't have idiots working there that would suggest trying to put a running car into drive while under the hood.

A little bit harsh there don't you think?

A little bit harsh there don't you think?

Really? Harsh to who? The guy told the mother to try and put the car into drive while outside the car... she could get seriously injured or even killed... so I guess I shouldn't call the guy who suggested this an idiot. No, he sounds like so much more than that.

WHO would tell a woman... anyone, for that matter, to try and put a car into drive while standing outside of it under the hood? That's insane!

Nowhere was I being harsh to the OP... in fact, I am happy that they have no idea how to do this so they know enough to not even try... or else they could wind up injured or dead.

Thanks for your input though... I will try to be so much nicer in the future when someone suggests something as unsafe as this.