troble getting gearshift out of park
Asked by mesquiteed Jan 23, 2007 at 10:01 AM about the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS FWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
when its cold i have trouble getting the gear shift button to go in so i can shift out of park. if i let it warm up for awhile then i can shift to other gears. what causes this?
5 Answers
There are a ton of possibilities here mesquiteed. You may get off by simply performing a tranny flush and you can certainly try that first, but it sounds like a professional needs to lay hands on your tranny to diagnose it to make sure you aren't headed for much larger issues. Good luck!
You have to have your foot on the brake before it will release. Make sure the connections are good. WD 40 and an adjustment may be what you need. If not, like LouB said, a trannmission pro may help.
@John, Is there a button/sensor under the brake peddle or in the shifter it self. During warm weather or if I let car warm up it shifts fine. Trans shifts fine while driving. It's that trying to get it out of park. Thank you Sonja
Gueu2FR3, I believe the sensor is connected to the peddle, and as a safety measure, the car will not start unless the break peddle is activated. It's run through the computer. Older vehicles did not have this and accidents happened due to the engine starting and the vehicle taking off when the driver/starter person was not ready to control the vehicle. Some safety add ons are an annoyance, but if it prevents a child or husband from being run over, it is worth it. Well children anyway, husbands can fend for themselves.
The shift solenoid failed some how. ( located on right side of shifter assy. Under console. )