Why can't I depress the shift button to shift out of park when the truck is running?

TIMSMITH11

MEMBER
1994 NISSAN TRUCK
174 MILES

I can not depress the button to shift it out of park when the engine is running on my 94 pickup truck. Once it is out of the park position, I can depress the button and shift the full range, as long as I do not go into park.

I do not have this problem if the truck is not running. Now, I have to turn the key to the start position, get it out of park then start the truck. The shift lock fuse is fine. Any idea?

4 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Check your brake lights if its working, if it is-have the shiftlock control solenoid checked-

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Friday, December 23rd, 2011 AT 7:18 PM

TIMSMITH11

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3 POSTS

No, the parking lights are not on.

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Friday, December 23rd, 2011 AT 7:48 PM

TIMSMITH11

MEMBER
3 POSTS

No the parking lights are off.

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Friday, December 23rd, 2011 AT 7:49 PM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,757 POSTS

That would be called the shift interlock feature. It operates on the same circuit as the brake lights so the first thing you want to do is to make sure the brake lights are working when this problem is present. If the brake lights are working, that proves the circuit is good up to that point, then you'll have to get to the solenoid in the console. Disassemble as much as you have to to access the solenoid near the shifting mechanism. Us a 12v test light to test for power coming and going at the solenoid when the brake is applied. If power is arriving and switching and the solenoid is not triggering, the solenoid is bad and will have to be replaced.

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Friday, December 23rd, 2011 AT 7:59 PM