Transmission does not shift out of park?

Tiny
RLPETERSON78
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 6.0L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I replaced the ignition solenoid because I couldn't shift out of park. I was having this issue before, and I disconnected the plug that goes into the ignition solenoid, and I was able to shift to get home. So, I replaced the ignition solenoid and that didn't solve the problem. What else should I be looking at?
Friday, November 22nd, 2024 AT 4:34 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
"Ignition solenoid" do you mean the shift lock solenoid? Is this the part you are talking about? Check out the images (below).
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 AT 9:59 AM
Tiny
RLPETERSON78
  • MEMBER
  • 128 POSTS
Yes that is what I replaced.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 AT 10:07 AM
Tiny
RLPETERSON78
  • MEMBER
  • 128 POSTS
I have been working on my truck today. When I had my old shift lock solenoid and took the plug out, I couldn't shift my truck. I replaced it and it won't shift out of park. So, I took the plug out and now it still does not shift. Looking at the shift mechanism everything looks okay and I can start the engine. What can I check next?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 AT 2:16 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
When replacing the shift lock solenoid it must be adjusted. Here is how the job is done. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, November 24th, 2024 AT 11:00 AM
Tiny
RLPETERSON78
  • MEMBER
  • 128 POSTS
Hi Ken,

I hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving.

I have installed and adjusted the shift lock solenoid as described and I still cannot get the shifter out of park. As I searched for the possibility cause I realized the pin in Steering Column Shift Control Mechanism isn't being retracted when I press the brakes. So I think that there is an electrical problem sending a signal to retracted the pin. Can you please send me a wire diagram surrounding the pin retaction in the shift control mechanism?

Best regards,

Ron
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 30th, 2024 AT 11:50 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Thank you for the kind words, I hope you have a nice thanksgiving as well ;) Here is the shift lock wiring diagrams and guide to help check for power.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 30th, 2024 AT 2:43 PM
Tiny
RLPETERSON78
  • MEMBER
  • 128 POSTS
Ken,

Thank you for sending me the wire diagram. I need to see how the pin in the shift control mechanism is retracted. I see that it isn't being retracted and that is why I can't shift out of park.

I will check for power in the diagram you send and let you know what I found.

Best regards,

Ron
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 30th, 2024 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Sounds good, there is not too, much to the circuit so testing should be not to difficult.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, December 1st, 2024 AT 10:28 AM
Tiny
RLPETERSON78
  • MEMBER
  • 128 POSTS
Hi Ken,

I tested the circuit everywhere I could test it with a test light. So I have confirmed that there is power to the shift lock solenoid. Starting the truck, putting my foot on the brake didn't allow me to get the shifter out of park.

Looking closely at what the problem is, it is a pin in the shift control mechanism. In the photo attached you can see a black wire that loops around from under the shifter and ending at the top of the shifting mechanism. At the end of the wire there is a pin the need to be extracted in order to shift. I can see that the pin isn't getting extracted and that is why I can shift. Do you have any information what power is needed to cause the pin to retracted? Is there a part that I need to replace?

Best regards,

Ron
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 2nd, 2024 AT 2:22 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
The light-grn/blk wire should get 12 volts when your foot is on the brakes and the blk wire sound be ground, test the wiring with the shift lock solenoid disconnected. Please go over this guide for clarification.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Please let us know what happens.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 AT 9:34 AM
Tiny
RLPETERSON78
  • MEMBER
  • 128 POSTS
Hi Ken,

When I tested the battery I got 12.57 volts. Testing the green wire on the plug I got 11.58 without the brake being pushed and break it went down to about 20 to 5 millivolts. What do I need to check now that the solenoid isn't getting the correct power?

Best regards

Ron
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 AT 3:27 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
All right! Now we are getting closer. Lets test the drgrn/wht wire coming out of the brake light switch. When the brake is depressed you should get close to 12 volts. Let me know, you might have a bad brake light switch.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 AT 10:06 AM
Tiny
RLPETERSON78
  • MEMBER
  • 128 POSTS
Hi Ken,

I put the lead into the green/white line and tested it for power. No matter when I pushed the brake did I get anywhere close to 12 volts. See video. With this result do I need a new brake light switch?

Best regards,

Ron
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 AT 12:36 PM
Tiny
RLPETERSON78
  • MEMBER
  • 128 POSTS
Ken,

Do I need a new Brake light switch?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, December 5th, 2024 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Do the brake lights work? If so, the brake light switch is bad and needs replacement. Here is how to swap it out. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, December 5th, 2024 AT 1:33 PM
Tiny
RLPETERSON78
  • MEMBER
  • 128 POSTS
Yes the brake light works when I press the brake pedal. The only thing that doesn't work is the green wire to the shift lock solenoid. I tested it at both ends and didn't get 12 volts from either end. If the rest of the Brake light switch works but the wire to the shift lock solenoid doesn't, what does that indicate?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, December 5th, 2024 AT 2:46 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
The brake light switch is bad if you are not getting 12 volts from the grn/wht wire. Let me know what happens.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, December 6th, 2024 AT 9:30 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Transmission Park Content

VIEW MORE