Stuck in Park

Tatmoof · 07-28-2007, 08:58 PM

HELP PLEASE!!!

I have a 1994 Chevy 3500 that is attached to a 30 foot RV. It is stuck in park and I do not know what is wrong. I cannot find a manual for it. I am told it is too old for the auto parts stores to carry the manuals.

The vehicle has sat for about 8 months now and when it was backed in everything worked just fine!

PLEASE, if anyone knows where I should be looking to fix this I would very much appreciate it.

TM

silicon212 · 07-28-2007, 09:34 PM

Sounds like a shift handle-brake interlock is malfunctioning. On many vehicles, you have to press the brake pedal to shift out of park, and if the cable or other mechanism that enables this malfuctions, your transmission is stuck in park.

Something to look at, anyway.

Tatmoof · 07-29-2007, 12:26 AM

Yes, this is a vehicle that I have to press the brake pedal in before the shift lever will engage.

This is where I am stuck. Engine is running, brake pedal is depressed and gear shift lever will absolutely not move.

I think that I have located the problem, but I have no idea what the part is called. It appears that there is a piston type switch the when the brake pedal is depressed, sends a signal to the gear shift lever mechanism that is on a cable to allow the lever to move. The piston part rests against the upper part of the brake pedal right next to the steering column and has 2 sets of wire harnesses attached to it. The piston is not moving in and out.

I have taken this small plastic switch with the piston out of the vehicle and now I need to purchase a replacement part. I suppose I could take it to my local parts store and they will know what it is called???

Although I am not very mechanical in terms of knowing what stuff is called, I am pretty handy at being able to problem solve and use tools....not bad for a girl I guess.....LOL.

Any and all help is very appreciated and thanks for the first reply. Anyone else want to offer advice?

TM

maxwedge · 07-29-2007, 09:25 AM

Try jumping the contacts to see if the solenoid is energized and releases.

777stickman · 07-29-2007, 11:43 AM

It's called the "Brake/Transmission Interlock". I think you can get the shift lever to move by trying this. Put the key in the ignition and turn it one click. You should be able to move the shift lever out of park. You'll need to move it to neutral to be able to start it.

If replacing the interlock does't fix it then the problem is probably in the ignition switch mechanism that physically locks the lever in park when you remove the key.

Let us know what happens.

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