Lexus RX 330 Problem from Theft Attempt

[Cabra]

I have a 2005 lexus RX330 (winter car) and last night someone broke into it...only thing they stole was my ipod, but...

when i got into the car, the shifter was in D (drive) and the brakes are locked up.

The parking brake is off and i cant drive the car since the brakes are locked up. The brake pedal is pushed to the floor and the brake light is on.

Any suggestions ?

Is this an anti-theft feature when you try to put the car into gear with no key in the ignition ?

 

[Militant-Grunt]

Put the shifter back into park. That will allow you to start the car, you cant start a car in drive, you'll just get an eariee silence. Im thinking the brakes should unlock on their own?

 

[bmw046series]

Then go down to your local BMW dealership and trade it in for an X5.

 

[MrElussive]

Put the key in the ignition, turn the key all the way until before the starter motor tries to turn the car on (where everything is running except for the engine) and then bring the shifter back into park and start the car up. The car will not allow you to start it unless you are back in Park.

Btw, where do you park? You have a RX330 and a 330Ci, you should be parking those puppies in a garage.

 

[tool fan]

.

Btw, where do you park? You have a RX330 and a 330Ci, you should be parking those puppies in a garage.

Or move to a better neighborhood

 

[bmwrocks]

I think the only way (without breaking the mechanism) to get the car into D without the key is to use the emergency release for the shifter. In a Toyota (or Lexus I presume) it is usually some sort of slot that you probe with a screwdriver and release the shift lock in emergencies.

It sounds like the thief may have forced the shifter into D by pressing the brake pedal, which is also interlocked with the shifter (i.e. you have to press the brake pedal to shift out of P also).

If you have tried to start the car in N or P, but can't, then maybe the thief broke the interlocking mechanism in the shifter or the brakes and the car is confused as to what gear it is in?