i'm thinking loose connection, push the truck a little back and forth in case it's mechanically stuck?
won't shift out of park
Hello all,
Did the obligatory search and didn't find anything. My truck just stranded me at the gas station and I'm wondering what the issue might be and what I'm looking at as far as repair time.
The truck is stuck in park. 4 cyl automatic, if that matters. I have not noticed anything going wrong as far as not shifting or being difficult to shift into/out of park etc. I tried restarting the truck several times while on the phone with roadside assistance. At first, I could hear a clicking behind the dash or in the steering wheel when pressing the shifter button, but after a while that stopped. Also, it feels like something is broken when pressing the shifter button now... it feels loose and doesn't seem to spring back like it should.
Any thoughts?
Did the obligatory search and didn't find anything. My truck just stranded me at the gas station and I'm wondering what the issue might be and what I'm looking at as far as repair time.
The truck is stuck in park. 4 cyl automatic, if that matters. I have not noticed anything going wrong as far as not shifting or being difficult to shift into/out of park etc. I tried restarting the truck several times while on the phone with roadside assistance. At first, I could hear a clicking behind the dash or in the steering wheel when pressing the shifter button, but after a while that stopped. Also, it feels like something is broken when pressing the shifter button now... it feels loose and doesn't seem to spring back like it should.
Any thoughts?
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
Did all that. Shook the truck, beat on the shifter and steering wheel, nothing worked. I'm not all that worried about it getting fixed... more curious than anything.
Im pretty sure we have a brake interlock, meaning you have to step on the brake pedal to release the shifter. So as you said the truck starts fine, Im willing to bet the brake switch/interlock went kablooey on you.
If its like older systems, you can usually jump them out....but I certainly dont recommend that method as it is a safety feature.
Also, if that is whats wrong, its usually in the area of a 15 minute fix with the correct part in hand.
Please report back what the dealer tells you.
If its like older systems, you can usually jump them out....but I certainly dont recommend that method as it is a safety feature.
Also, if that is whats wrong, its usually in the area of a 15 minute fix with the correct part in hand.
Please report back what the dealer tells you.
Yes, that's exactly what I originally thought when I could hear the clicking but no shift... that the brake pedal just wasn't registering. Just weird that the button pressure went away right around at the same time. I'm hoping it's just a return spring or some contact not lining up in the switch - but I have absolutely no idea how the ignition/brake/shifter is all tied together. I'll definitely post up here when they figure it out.
A clue would be to check your brake lights to see if they are working. Likely the same switch controls brake lights and shifter unlock.Yes, that's exactly what I originally thought when I could hear the clicking but no shift... that the brake pedal just wasn't registering. Just weird that the button pressure went away right around at the same time. I'm hoping it's just a return spring or some contact not lining up in the switch - but I have absolutely no idea how the ignition/brake/shifter is all tied together. I'll definitely post up here when they figure it out.
Some cars have a button/switch at the base of the shifter that releases when you step on the brake. It can break, stick, or malfunction in some was which would cause it to stick in park. We had that problem with the HHR we had and they replaced the entire shifter assembly under warranty.
You see that little mini door next to the shifter on the console that has a little slot in it that everybody wonders what it is? Well here you go. That is there for just this type of occasion. That is where the shift lock bypass is. Pop that little door out and you will be able to bypass the shift lock so you can at least get it into gear to get it to the dealer to fix.
Yeah the same switch does both.A clue would be to check your brake lights to see if they are working. Likely the same switch controls brake lights and shifter unlock.
If the brake lights do not come on, then the switch may be out of adjustment.
You see that little mini door next to the shifter on the console that has a little slot in it that everybody wonders what it is? Well here you go. That is there for just this type of occasion. That is where the shift lock bypass is. Pop that little door out and you will be able to bypass the shift lock so you can at least get it into gear to get it to the dealer to fix.
I couldn't find this in my Canyon. Do you know where they are on the twins? I've used this before in other cars.
Actually, no, I don't see it on my Colorado. A generic video doesn't apply in every situation........:-(You see that little mini door next to the shifter on the console that has a little slot in it that everybody wonders what it is? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fayeJXj2njA
Unfortunetly I can't look right now and have never looked for it to this date. When I do get back in town I will look in my Colorado. The intent of my post was to hopefully have it there to be used. I am sure there is some type of bypass on the twins, now we just gotta find it.
This video shows the switch in operation and where it is located but nothing about repair.
Just a thought, some cars also have a lockout requiring the seat belt to be latched, shot in the dark with worth mentioning. I don't see a lockout over-ride on my 2017. You could pop the plastic piece off and lift the boot up and lift the lockout up with a screwdriver if it comes to it?
Update:
There is no update. They can't replicate the problem. They've had no problems starting it up and it shifting right away every day. No codes, so they can't really do much of anything at this point... although they tell me they've been trying different things daily and sending data off to GM for analysis. I should be getting my truck back either tomorrow or Friday. The one thing I don't get is how the shifter button had no resistance when I had it towed. It rocked back and forth sideways and felt like a ballpoint pen with no spring in it. But they tell me it's normal now.... IDK.
I'm not sure if I should be relieved that it's nothing or concerned that I might get stranded again. This time was half a mile from home, so I just hiked it. Who knows where I might be if there's a next time.
As for the manual override button for not shifting: I asked the service advisor about that and he said no, there isn't any way to do that in our trucks. GM got away from those in the last 7-10 years even though a lot of manufacturers still incorporate it.
*Side note - those bastards gave me a v6 loaner which I purposely did not test drive before I bought because I didn't want to talk myself into spending the extra $1300 or whatever. While I have no complaints at all about how mine drives, the v6 just feels more like it belongs in the truck. I typically keep my cars 2-3 years beyond paying them off, but I'm seriously considering taking this one on the chin and upgrading....
There is no update. They can't replicate the problem. They've had no problems starting it up and it shifting right away every day. No codes, so they can't really do much of anything at this point... although they tell me they've been trying different things daily and sending data off to GM for analysis. I should be getting my truck back either tomorrow or Friday. The one thing I don't get is how the shifter button had no resistance when I had it towed. It rocked back and forth sideways and felt like a ballpoint pen with no spring in it. But they tell me it's normal now.... IDK.
I'm not sure if I should be relieved that it's nothing or concerned that I might get stranded again. This time was half a mile from home, so I just hiked it. Who knows where I might be if there's a next time.
As for the manual override button for not shifting: I asked the service advisor about that and he said no, there isn't any way to do that in our trucks. GM got away from those in the last 7-10 years even though a lot of manufacturers still incorporate it.
*Side note - those bastards gave me a v6 loaner which I purposely did not test drive before I bought because I didn't want to talk myself into spending the extra $1300 or whatever. While I have no complaints at all about how mine drives, the v6 just feels more like it belongs in the truck. I typically keep my cars 2-3 years beyond paying them off, but I'm seriously considering taking this one on the chin and upgrading....
Yeah, the V6 is nice and fast as **** for a little truck. I like it a lot. Anyhow, there was a guy here, that got stuck in park before. A year or so ago. His truck wouldn't come out of park or go into park. I forget which one. He found out it was the shifter button and had to grab it and pull it out. He got his replaced. Have to find the thread here somewhere. Good luck with yours. This problem is pretty much new here. Let us know what happens. Thanks. You might be upgrading now anyhow. >Update:
There is no update. They can't replicate the problem. They've had no problems starting it up and it shifting right away every day. No codes, so they can't really do much of anything at this point... although they tell me they've been trying different things daily and sending data off to GM for analysis. I should be getting my truck back either tomorrow or Friday. The one thing I don't get is how the shifter button had no resistance when I had it towed. It rocked back and forth sideways and felt like a ballpoint pen with no spring in it. But they tell me it's normal now.... IDK.
I'm not sure if I should be relieved that it's nothing or concerned that I might get stranded again. This time was half a mile from home, so I just hiked it. Who knows where I might be if there's a next time.
As for the manual override button for not shifting: I asked the service advisor about that and he said no, there isn't any way to do that in our trucks. GM got away from those in the last 7-10 years even though a lot of manufacturers still incorporate it.
*Side note - those bastards gave me a v6 loaner which I purposely did not test drive before I bought because I didn't want to talk myself into spending the extra $1300 or whatever. While I have no complaints at all about how mine drives, the v6 just feels more like it belongs in the truck. I typically keep my cars 2-3 years beyond paying them off, but I'm seriously considering taking this one on the chin and upgrading....
A day or two ago, I went to shift out of Park and it stuck, after a couple of tries, it released. This happened again twice, but today I was not so lucky. I am in the midst of a road trip, and I was stuck at a Rest Area outside of Trinidad, CO (no Chevy dealer). I called a dealer in Albuquerque that did the 15K service a week earlier to see if they could provide me a solution. They recommended a few simplistic things like turning the ignition on and off a few times then trying again. Nothing. I called OnStar, and they arranged for a towing service to come out and the towing service started texting me, but they would not arrive for at least an hour. I texted a friend, he suggested disconnecting the battery terminal. Well, the 2020 harnessing around the battery box made this impossible as I did not have anything more than pliers and a Swiss Army knife (SAK). While waiting for the tow truck, I tried it several times, and then, 3 hours into this ordeal, it came out of Park. I called the towing service to cancel and returned to my hotel in Trinidad. I parked and left it in Neutral, but the key would not come out of the ignition, so I put it in Park, tried to shift again, but it was stuck again. After getting out, it occurred to me to leave it in Neutral and use the remote to lock the doors (tested, confirmed this worked). The towing service called and we spoke at length about the problem as I might still need that tow. The woman said she would check with their service techs, but because the truck was so new they might not have info on it. She said she would call back, and in the interim I called the dealer (Reliable Chevy) in ABQ to see if they could get me in the next day, if I could get there, and they said they would be ready and waiting. The towing company (J&M, I believe) called me back and the woman told me her tech found that there is a Technical Service Bulletin (TBS) on the matter and the problem is a communication error between the transmission module and the main computer module. She said it would have to be replaced by Chevy. Okay, so problem is now known, but I still had to get out of Park to get to ABQ. I tried several times through the afternoon, no luck, and then determined I would work to disconnect the battery main. Using pliers and SAK, I was able to open up the plastic panels around the battery and pull the cable off. I waited about 5 minutes, reconnected everything, and tried. The first attempt was unsuccessful, but a second try and it came out of Park. I put it in Neutral, shut off the engine, and locked the car using the remote. Being on a road trip, truck loaded with gear to work on my land (cutting trees), and this being the last day, it was EXTREMELY frustrating, especially being stuck at a Rest Area -- I stopped there to rearrange all the gear in the bed for the start of the trip home to California the next day. So, I should be able to get to ABQ by noon -- if no one breaks into the truck and drives it away. Fingers crossed. Use J&M if ever in Trinidad, they were hella helpful and kudos to Reliable Chevrolet in ABQ for being ready and standing by to fix the issues. Hopefully, all goes well tomorrow! So, if this happens to you, try disconnecting the battery terminal (positive only) as it allows computers to reset and, possibly, 'talk' long enough to resolve and issue allowing you to get to a dealer.
Chevy needs to issue a recall on this matter as this can happen at any moment. For me, that was 1,500+ miles from home at a Rest Area miles from the nearest town, and scores of miles from the nearest Chevy dealer.
Chevy needs to issue a recall on this matter as this can happen at any moment. For me, that was 1,500+ miles from home at a Rest Area miles from the nearest town, and scores of miles from the nearest Chevy dealer.
Oh, just FYI, my Colorado is a 4-cyl turbo-diesel (Duramax), ZR2 Bison.A day or two ago, I went to shift out of Park and it stuck, after a couple of tries, it released. This happened again twice, but today I was not so lucky. I am in the midst of a road trip, and I was stuck at a Rest Area outside of Trinidad, CO (no Chevy dealer). I called a dealer in Albuquerque that did the 15K service a week earlier to see if they could provide me a solution. They recommended a few simplistic things like turning the ignition on and off a few times then trying again. Nothing. I called OnStar, and they arranged for a towing service to come out and the towing service started texting me, but they would not arrive for at least an hour. I texted a friend, he suggested disconnecting the battery terminal. Well, the 2020 harnessing around the battery box made this impossible as I did not have anything more than pliers and a Swiss Army knife (SAK). While waiting for the tow truck, I tried it several times, and then, 3 hours into this ordeal, it came out of Park. I called the towing service to cancel and returned to my hotel in Trinidad. I parked and left it in Neutral, but the key would not come out of the ignition, so I put it in Park, tried to shift again, but it was stuck again. After getting out, it occurred to me to leave it in Neutral and use the remote to lock the doors (tested, confirmed this worked). The towing service called and we spoke at length about the problem as I might still need that tow. The woman said she would check with their service techs, but because the truck was so new they might not have info on it. She said she would call back, and in the interim I called the dealer (Reliable Chevy) in ABQ to see if they could get me in the next day, if I could get there, and they said they would be ready and waiting. The towing company (J&M, I believe) called me back and the woman told me her tech found that there is a Technical Service Bulletin (TBS) on the matter and the problem is a communication error between the transmission module and the main computer module. She said it would have to be replaced by Chevy. Okay, so problem is now known, but I still had to get out of Park to get to ABQ. I tried several times through the afternoon, no luck, and then determined I would work to disconnect the battery main. Using pliers and SAK, I was able to open up the plastic panels around the battery and pull the cable off. I waited about 5 minutes, reconnected everything, and tried. The first attempt was unsuccessful, but a second try and it came out of Park. I put it in Neutral, shut off the engine, and locked the car using the remote. Being on a road trip, truck loaded with gear to work on my land (cutting trees), and this being the last day, it was EXTREMELY frustrating, especially being stuck at a Rest Area -- I stopped there to rearrange all the gear in the bed for the start of the trip home to California the next day. So, I should be able to get to ABQ by noon -- if no one breaks into the truck and drives it away. Fingers crossed. Use J&M if ever in Trinidad, they were hella helpful and kudos to Reliable Chevrolet in ABQ for being ready and standing by to fix the issues. Hopefully, all goes well tomorrow! So, if this happens to you, try disconnecting the battery terminal (positive only) as it allows computers to reset and, possibly, 'talk' long enough to resolve and issue allowing you to get to a dealer.
Chevy needs to issue a recall on this matter as this can happen at any moment. For me, that was 1,500+ miles from home at a Rest Area miles from the nearest town, and scores of miles from the nearest Chevy dealer.
We have tons of known issues and while I have seen this one before, I cant say its all that common.
But, sounds like everyone you dealt with is handling it for you expeditiously. Sucks that it happened but at least it sounds like there is light at the end of the tunnel for you.
But, sounds like everyone you dealt with is handling it for you expeditiously. Sucks that it happened but at least it sounds like there is light at the end of the tunnel for you.
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
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