[thorn261]

Took my 2002 Nissan Altima to the dealer for brakes and front end alignment, he called saying the belts need to be changed and the throttle valve was dirty and needed to be cleaned($129) . I have a Ford Explorer that is 13 years old--never heard of cleaning a throttle valve or on any other car that I have owned. Told him to change the belts. On the way home from the dealer the car dies in traffic. Had to be towed(car would not come out of park) back to the dealer.
Two questions:
Will having the car pulled onto the tow truck while it was in park do any damage to the car or the services I already paid for.
Is it normal for the throttle valve to get dirty and need to be cleaned at 80,000 miles. I always use a medium grade gas.

[CaptainRich]

Took my 2002 Nissan Altima to the dealer for brakes and front end alignment, he called saying the belts need to be changed and the throttle valve was dirty and needed to be cleaned($129) . I have a Ford Explorer that is 13 years old--never heard of cleaning a throttle valve or on any other car that I have owned. Told him to change the belts. On the way home from the dealer the car dies in traffic. Had to be towed(car would not come out of park) back to the dealer.
Two questions:
Will having the car pulled onto the tow truck while it was in park do any damage to the car or the services I already paid for.
Is it normal for the throttle valve to get dirty and need to be cleaned at 80,000 miles. I always use a medium grade gas.

So you only authorized the belt replacement and not the throttle cleaning?

On many vehicles, the throttle body can become dirty and contaminated. This can cause the throttle plate to bind and not fully closed, resulting in various drivability problems, including but not limited to incorrect idle speed and/or throttle binding, possibly turning on the check engine light. The brand or octane fuel you use is irrelevant.

And I don't understand why the car could not shift from park? Even with the engine off, with the key in the run position and your foot on the brake, you should be able to move the shifter. On your car, there is an access on the shift console that will allow you to move the shifter. The shift lock button (a small cover needs removed to access) will release the park pawl and then you can move the shift lever.



The tow operator should already know this.

[thorn261]

Yes I only authorized the belt replacement... the tow driver got in the car and attempted to put it in neutral himself. Thanks for the information on how to get it into neutral. This was the first time I have ever had any problems that would left me stranded on the side of them road. This was a AAA tower? Is there anything that I need to be looking for when I get the car back since it was pulled onto the tow truck in park? I had a Acura Integra that was hit while in park and would have to be driven(would not work just warming it up) that would not shift(automatic) out of second for 15-20 minutes. Thanks for the informations

[CaptainRich]

I don't understand the stalling, so without further info, I can only speculate on that. Other than perhaps low/no fuel or primary ignition problems, I need to know more.
It appears to be only coincidental to the service visit. Let us know what the dealer finds. But, with any repairs, don't hesitate to ask to be shown on the vehicle what they are talking about.

If your car was only towed onto the tow truck, I don't think much could have happened to the transmission.
Make certain you mention this to your AAA customer service reps. If, and I say, "IF" anything happened, they could be held accountable should any damage have been done. They are supposed to be experienced with towing all makes and models.

About your Acura, the forces generated on the drivetrain is significantly greater during a "hit-in-park" incident. Cross your fingers.