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Wont Shift out of Park

Tiny
SAM_DIXON
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

My car starts but it won't shift out of park. I have to push the shift/lock release button next to the gear shifter.

One morning it worked fine, and then I went to drive away after work and it stayed in park. I had my foot down on the brake, and I even checked the emergency brake. It just feels like its locked.
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Wednesday, March 12th, 2008 AT 9:45 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
SCOTTSAMONEK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Check to see if the brake lights are working, both the lights and shift interlock use the same brake switch. Start with fuses

Read this guide on using a test light, good way to check for power

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

The wiring diagram for the shift interlock is attached below
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:36 PM
Tiny
PAMILASU
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 119,000 MILES
I cannot get the car out of park. I was told it was the shift lock solenoid. I use a screwdriver to push the release on the console to get it out of park. Can I just replace the solenoid and where can I get one?
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROSEDD43
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
I have a 01 pontiac grand prix. Just started to not shift out of park after I have started it. I press on the brake and move the steering wheel and it won't budge. When I click on the button on the floor shifter, (automatic) I hear a click up in the steering column and I can almost feel the click noise on the column.

Car starts normally, runs normally just can get it out of Park. Did it intermediately several times now won't shift at all.

Any help would be appreciated. Phil D.
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Have the shift interlock system check-could be the shift lock solenoid that you're hearing
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROSEDD43
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Want to thank you. We will check your suggestion out. We went to check the car out where it was left and pushed the shift lock release and we have the car home.

Had gone to the dealer earlier today where we got the car and had asked if there was anyway to get the car out of park and home so we could look at it and the machanics said no we would have to have it towed to the garage.

So you can't always trust a dealer it seems.
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Don't blame you-some people are just all about the Benjamins $$$$. No heart
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATTCANDY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
The car will not shift out of park. We think that when you press off the parking brake it is not disengaging, therefore the car will not allow us to shift it out of park. Is this an easy fix?
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
I think you should check the brake switch it controls the cruise control and the shift interlock system
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AJSINZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
The car will not shift out of park into any gear.
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Get the brake switch checked out and also the shift interlock system -could be the shiftlock solenoid
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CCSJRR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
I have a 98 grand prix that will start but won't release from park. When you try it makes a noise on the steering colum, but the shifter won't move. It has a 168000 miles and is stuck 100 miles away from me at college.
Thank-you
charlie
ps it's the 3800 eng.
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check if u have brake light
it may be brake light switch or wires on it or fuse
try turnkey to position 1 put car in N start
drive to repair shop
good luck
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SMOKE74
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
The button on the shifter was locked so I had to use the bypass to get the car out of park. Is this a small problem to fix or could the transmission be on the way out?
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
Most likely the button mechanisim has broke. There is a plastic plunger that activates the release.

Could also be the brake solenoid, this prevents the shifter from moving unless brake pedal is depressed.

But it is certainly not a trans problem, from your description.

You will have to remove shifter knob and inspect the plastic plunger, then remove console base and inspect the shifter hardware for loose parts.
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAY775
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
Why will my car not come out of park
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
Brake pedal must be depressed to shift out of park, if it won't, there should be a small button on shift console, depress brake and push button, if shifter works, then the park/lock safety switch is bad.
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGNICK92779
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,000 MILES
I have a 2000 pontiac grand prix gtp and I cant shift it out of park normally I have to use the shift over ride button to shift it what is the problem with this thanks for your time
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Most likely a failed park/neutral safety switch but first ensure brake lights are working, if they are not than the brake light switch may be at fault.
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)

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