Couldn't get it out of Park

[jeepfreak]

This happened to me once before and I seem to recall some others had this happen. Start up the engine , step on the brake to shift and the lever won't move. What I had to do was kill the engine turn the key on step on the brake put the trans in neutral then start the engine and shift to drive. Did anyone ever find the cause for this? Was fine the rest of the trip. Thanks.

[millsrv]

Hello, This has happened on my W-24 a couple of times. The problem is the brake light switch that also controls the interlock on the shifter. If it happens again have someone check to see if the brake lights come on when depressing the brake pedal. I simply adjusted the switch and the problem has not resurfaced. Even if it does, it is a simple replacement of a very common GM part.

[jeepfreak]

Thanks millsrv I will check that if it happens again. I assume that the lights would not be on even though my foot is on the brake.Is this correct?

[millsrv]

Hi, yes if you cannot get the shifter out of park keep your foot on the brake pedal and have someone check your brake lights. If they are not on the problem is very likely the brake light switch.
If you look up under the dash and follow the brake pedal lever up you will see the switch near the top of the lever it should be white. Try to gently wiggle the switch, if everything starts to work then it is the switch.
Good luck,
Jim

[Petro]

This happened to me once a couple of years ago. Never caused a problem again. It was in the winter so I blamed it on the cold temperature. It was about 0.

Don

[TBI]

It's happen to me a couple of times. I just hook my toe under the brake pedal and pull up a bit. I assume the switch asm needs a bit of adjustment but so far my toe takes care of it.

[wilanddij]

Pulling the brake pedal with your toe is also a good workaround if your CC won't engage.

[BEBOP]

I just had this happen to me for the first time. I was at the RV shop getting smog done and when I picked it up I couldn't get it in gear. I just fiddled with it for awhile and eventually it did go into gear. I thought it was because the exit from their parking lot has a hump at the street and I thought I might be high centered as the exhaust pipes were dragging.
I also noted on the way home the ABS lights came on and stayed on until I got to storage about 10 miles. I parked while I unlocked the gate and when I started back up the ABS light was out again. It did not come back on while I was parking in storage.
Normally when I start the engine the ABS light comes on but usually goes out after moving the MTH a few feet.
The shop supt said nothing to worry about so I have put it out of mind until I read this.
Bebop

[oldusedbear]

There is a mechanism called the BTSI - - It is an interlock that requires you to have your foot on the service brake pedal with ignition ON in order to move the shift lever out of Park. In many cases the same switch that energizes the stop lites is used to bring about this release. The actual "locking and unlocking" is done by a solenoid on the steering column. These solenoids are frequently reported as getting very hot - - probably leading to some failures.

This info doesn't troubleshoot the system for you, but may give you some understanding of how it works. We hear about these problems because failure of the BTSI system is often confused with AutoPark problems

oldusedbear at the AutoPark Library