🚨 1993 Mitsubishi Eclipse: Emergency Neutral
The 1993 Eclipse (1G, final year of first generation) uses a floor console shifter with a mechanical shift-lock override.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — details like the exact override location may vary by trim; verify visually before prying anything.
⚠️ 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 and chock the wheels as needed.
- Turn the ignition key to ACC or ON position if any battery power is available.
- Locate the shift-lock override slot, a small covered opening near the base of the shifter on the console.
- Remove the small plastic cover or cap from the override slot.
- Insert a small flathead screwdriver, key, or hex tool into the override slot and press down to release the shift-lock.
- While holding the override mechanism down, press the shifter release button and move the shifter to Neutral.
- Remove the tool and replace the cover if possible.
Shift-lock override location
Small slot at the shifter base, typically on the left side of the console trim, hidden by a removable plastic cap.
With zero electrical power
If the battery is fully dead, use the shift-lock override to mechanically release the shifter—no electrical power is needed. Depress the override with a tool and shift to Neutral without turning the ignition.