shifter stuck in P

[Will]

only happens about 50% of the time. Shifter will stick in park even when the brake is pressed and shift lock is pressed. I can hear a click coming from under dash behind the steering wheel somewhere. Sometimes i have to press on shift lock 10-20 times before it will go into gear but it always eventually does go into gear. And the other half of the time I have no problem with it. Relay perhaps?


I did a search before asking btw and didn't see anything with these exact symptoms...

[1986nate]

Sounds like the shift lock unit is starting to act up.

[Crazy_pilot]

My shift lock module failed gradually over time, but the shift lock button always worked first try. You could try swapping the module and see if that helps, I'm sure someone here has one they'll part with for next to nothing. It lives under the center console behind the shifter.

With regards to the shift lock button not working... Unless someone here has experience with that you may have to pull the center console off and take a look at the shifter mechanics.

[LastSVXintheChi]

that happened to me once and the tow truck fixed it by rocking the car forward and backwards while trying to pull out of park and poof it was fixed never did it again....hope it helps

[kjoyes]

Also try this move the steering wheel all the way each way some time that work that what made mine not shift..

[smc]

There is a good chance that its the shift lock plate solenoid. If you pull the trim off the shifter, you will see the electric sol. and the plate that it actuates to lock you into park. Often times, that sol. get clogged with crud and no longer actuated the lock plate. A little denatured alcohol will clean it right up. And if worse comes to worse, you can just remove the shift lock plate all together and not worry about it.

[Will]

Originally Posted by smc

There is a good chance that its the shift lock plate solenoid. If you pull the trim off the shifter, you will see the electric sol. and the plate that it actuates to lock you into park. Often times, that sol. get clogged with crud and no longer actuated the lock plate. A little denatured alcohol will clean it right up. And if worse comes to worse, you can just remove the shift lock plate all together and not worry about it.

so the trim can be taken off without having to take entire console out?

[Crazy_pilot]

I believe it can, but I think it would be safer for your interior parts to remove the console (no prying with screwdrivers). It's really not much work, just a bit of a pain getting past the shifter and parking brake handles.

For the trim, the back edge can be pulled up to start, and then worked around till it comes out. I can't describe it more accurately because I honestly don't remember. The center console can be taken out by removing three screws in the bottom of the arm rest pocket and two more hidden under the curved side panels that cover the bottom/front edge (the panels pop off at the front first, then the back).

[Will]

Hmm... Whether or not I remove the entire console,will I not have the same issues removing those trim pieces?

[Crazy_pilot]

No, if you pop off the shifter trim you can turn it 90 degrees as you lift it up to clear the shifter handle with no problems.

[Chuckls]

Also breaking the aged plastic tabs that hold it in place.


True story