Automatic transmission won't shift out of park.

TAY-CLEM

MEMBER
1994 SATURN SL1
166,000 MILES

It feels very tight, as if the shifter cable is caught on something or the lever it is connected to is stuck. Sometimes, if you let the car idle for an hour or more, it will shift, but reluctantly.

Transmission fluid levels are good. No leaks.

I'm wondering if it is an internal problem with the transmission itself.

5 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Check the brake lights if its working -if okay -have shiftlock control solenoid checked/tested

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Friday, November 18th, 2011 AT 9:01 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

Just to add to this one see if it will come out of park with the key in the acc position?Also do you have a multimeter?

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Saturday, November 19th, 2011 AT 12:11 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

Also you could have a gummed up shift lock solenoid from coffee and soda being spilt over time.

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Saturday, November 19th, 2011 AT 12:19 AM

TAY-CLEM

MEMBER
16 POSTS

I tried the key in the acc position, still no luck. The solenoid is on the outside of the car, near the engine block. I read somewhere that you can remove the cable that connects the solenoid to the gear shift in an extreme emergency in order to get the car to move. How do I go about doing this? (I know that I will have to get the part replaced if I do this, but I'm moving to a different town and need to move the car)

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Monday, December 5th, 2011 AT 9:05 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

That solenoid is actually under the center console I dont know what solenoid your talking about. Also do the brake lights work?Can you hear the solenoid click when stepping on the brake with your ear on the center console?