🚨 2000 Isuzu Rodeo: Emergency Neutral
The 2000 Rodeo uses a traditional floor-mounted console shifter with electronic shift lock.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — cross-check against your owner’s manual when possible.
⚠️ Chock the wheels first — neutral means the car can roll. Set the parking brake while you work, never stand downhill of the vehicle, and try a 12-volt jump before any override: power fixes most stuck-in-park problems instantly.
The procedure
- Set the parking brake firmly and chock the wheels.
- Turn the ignition key to the ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining.
- Locate the shift lock override slot—it is a small rectangular opening with a plastic cover cap on the driver's side of the shifter base, near the button side.
- Use a flathead screwdriver or the key blade to remove or flip open the small cover cap.
- Insert a flathead screwdriver, pen, or similar thin tool into the override slot and press down firmly.
- While holding the override down, press the shifter button and move the shifter to Neutral.
- If the ignition cannot be turned due to steering lock and dead battery, you must jump-start the 12V battery enough to unlock the steering column before attempting to shift.
- Once in Neutral, the vehicle can be pushed or rolled onto a flatbed.
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot with plastic cover cap on the driver's side of the shifter base, near the shifter button.
With zero electrical power
With zero 12V power, the steering column lock will engage and the ignition key cannot turn. You must jump-start or charge the battery minimally to turn the key to ACC, which unlocks the steering and allows the shift lock override to function. Without any power, mechanical shifting is not possible on this model.