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Shift Selector won't shift out of Park

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Old May 5, 2005 | 10:53 AM
  #1  
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Shift Selector won't shift out of Park

Today when I left my job, I could not get my selector out of park, so I had to push down on the manual selector switch to get it to move into drive. The car drove fine and switched out properly, but this is not how it is suppose to operate. Any feedback on this issue in much appreciated.

tks,

jay
Old May 5, 2005 | 11:08 AM
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Can you shift out of park with the car not running? For example, with the car off .. set the e-brake, shift into neutral, and try to start the car.

If that works, it could be the switch by the brake pedal that 'unlocks' your shifter. Sort of a safety device that makes sure you have the brake pedal down before you shift into gear.

I THINK this switch also controls your brake lights .. most likely they won't light up if this switch is bad (but i'm not 100% sure on this)
Old May 5, 2005 | 11:27 AM
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do you hear a click when press the brake?
there's a solenoid by the shifter that causes the shifter to release and be able to be shifted.
Old May 5, 2005 | 11:28 AM
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Thanks,

I will check it out...

jay
Old May 5, 2005 | 12:55 PM
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Just checked it out. No brake lights at all. Shifter will not move into any other gear On/Off unless I depress the shift lock button at the bottom of the selector. What is the price on this part/switch and what is it called? and where can I get it? I do hear a click when I depress the brake pedal though. I definitely need brake lights to ride back and forth to work. It could'nt happen at a more convenient time.

tks in advance,

jay
Old May 5, 2005 | 02:09 PM
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if you hear the click then you should have the solenoid working.
I'd pull the center sonsole out and look at the shifter base while pushing the pedal to see if the solenoid is activating and if so is it working correctly
Old May 5, 2005 | 02:27 PM
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If its' bad....Do you sell them?

jay
Old May 5, 2005 | 02:30 PM
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From: Upper Marlboro, MD
I have the same problem with the shifter. Need to press the shift release before shifting. When I hit the brake I don't hear a click or sometimes a bunch of quick clicks, like its turning on and off in quick succession. Have'nt fixed it yet (too lazy), but I 'm thinking solenoid. How hard is it to change the solenoid??
Old May 5, 2005 | 02:30 PM
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no, but anyone parting out an A/T should still have a good one
Old May 5, 2005 | 04:15 PM
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yeah,

but do your brake lights still work? because mine are out. Did not find out today until I got hone from work. It looks as though the switch is not working correctly, it is not engaging properly to allow the shifter to clear to be shifted. I really need one bad. I guess it is off to stealership for that part.
Just a little black box that's on the side of the shifter.

jay
Old May 5, 2005 | 04:21 PM
  #11  
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yeah,

but do your brake lights still work? because mine are out. Did not find out today until I got hone from work. It looks as though the switch is not working correctly, it is not engaging properly to allow the shifter to clear to be shifted. I really need one bad. I guess it is off to stealership for that part.
Just a little black box that's on the side of the shifter.

jay
Old May 5, 2005 | 04:24 PM
  #12  
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oh,
I almost forgot...does anyone know the name of the parts/switches. The one on the side of the shifter and the one by the brake pedal.

jay
Old May 5, 2005 | 06:01 PM
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Shift Interlock Controller and Solenoid. The controller is located behind the kick panel on the passenger side (IIRC). There's a switch by the brake pedal (dunno what it's called) and the solenoid is what actually unlocks the shift lever.

If your brake lights don't light up, it's (probably) the switch by the brake pedal. If the brake lights work and you hear clicking, it's probably the solenoid (gummed up or going bad). If you spill pop and stuff there, it could just be sticky. If you don't hear clicking and the brakes light up, it could be the control unit.

I think there's a fuse that controls all this too .. not sure though. If NOTHING works or makes noise, it could be a fuse.

This is just my guesses, though. Maybe someone w/ more knowledge can confirm...
Old May 6, 2005 | 02:09 AM
  #14  
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Found out my brake lamp fuse was blown, replaced 15A fuse, brakes are ok.
I will look more indepth today at my shifter problem.


Thanks for all your info and help,

jay
Old May 6, 2005 | 05:21 AM
  #15  
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Update,

Checked my fuse box, and found the stoplight fuse blown. Inserted another 15A worked fine shifter and all, but it blew again. Any idea how I can pinpoint this problem. I can't troubleshoot a lick, definitely my downfall.

jay
Old May 6, 2005 | 06:21 AM
  #16  
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check for corrosion in the taillamp socket.
Old May 6, 2005 | 09:34 AM
  #17  
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ok,

Just as you said, I pulled the console and watched the solenoid, it is working properly. Worked for about 10 mikes or so then the fuse blew
again. I am checking the lights now....

Jay
Old May 6, 2005 | 10:16 AM
  #18  
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Yeap,

Light socket is corroded bad. If only I had a 1157 light socket I would be good to go. I think it is to bad to try to use again. One of the electrodes
on the back of the light is burned completely out. I am surprise the brake lights still worked at all. Thanks for all your help you definitely saved me money.

jay
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