Can't get '99 Tahoe out of Park

It started doing this a few years ago. It just required pumping the break a few times and just became a habit to do that, so I didn't think much of it. Now it has gotten much worse. The longest it has taken to get out of Park was 40 minutes. Tonight I had to leave my Tahoe at work and take a work vehicle. May be just me trying to come up with an answer, but it seems to get stuck more in the hot weather.

Pressing the brake, sends a signal that brake is depressed and allows you to shift out of park. Most of the time, crap spilled down around the shifter has gummed up the mechanism. Got nothing to do with the weather.

It started doing this a few years ago. It just required pumping the break a few times and just became a habit to do that, so I didn't think much of it. Now it has gotten much worse. The longest it has taken to get out of Park was 40 minutes. Tonight I had to leave my Tahoe at work and take a work vehicle. May be just me trying to come up with an answer, but it seems to get stuck more in the hot weather.

make sure the brake switch is good. then this may require the steering column to be opened up and the solenoid cleaned/replaced. you have an OBS type tahoe I think so I do not have the specific info on how this is with your vehicle.

when you push down on the brake pedal bang on the column ..if this works then its in need of lube/cleaning..[could be electrical connection ]

Pressing the brake, sends a signal that brake is depressed and allows you to shift out of park. Most of the time, crap spilled down around the shifter has gummed up the mechanism. Got nothing to do with the weather.

That is a possibility. The last many months my windshield has been leaking when it rains and sometimes water pours in when I start to drive after it has been raining and gets me and the steering column wet. Hmm. Never thought about that. I will report back. Thank you.

make sure the brake switch is good. then this may require the steering column to be opened up and the solenoid cleaned/replaced. you have an OBS type tahoe I think so I do not have the specific info on how this is with your vehicle.

when you push down on the brake pedal bang on the column ..if this works then its in need of lube/cleaning..[could be electrical connection ]

That could be a possibility too. It has other electrical problems too. I took out the fuse a long time ago for the dome/courtesy lights a long time ago because it started coming on even when the car was off and then come on by themselves while I was driving. Then if the horn honks you will find the back windows won't roll down. But, if the back windows do roll down then the horn doesn't honk. And, most times I get shocked when getting out of the car. Thank you.

That could be a possibility too. It has other electrical problems too. I took out the fuse a long time ago for the dome/courtesy lights a long time ago because it started coming on even when the car was off and then come on by themselves while I was driving. Then if the horn honks you will find the back windows won't roll down. But, if the back windows do roll down then the horn doesn't honk. And, most times I get shocked when getting out of the car. Thank you.

well too late now but when you get your next vehicle never ever allow water to get into the dash area. when the windshield leaks you must fix it fast. those cheap GM connector pins are not gold ! you will have a very bad/expensive nasty operating vehicle.. good luck.

well too late now but when you get your next vehicle never ever allow water to get into the dash area. when the windshield leaks you must fix it fast. those cheap GM connector pins are not gold ! you will have a very bad/expensive nasty operating vehicle.. good luck.


I know. You are right. Thank you!

Try this: Turn the key to the RUN position. All the gauges should power up. Now turn the key back ONE click towards the OFF position. The only light that should be on is the shift indicator light. Now try to move it out of PARK.

Let us know.

My 99 Yukon will not shift out of Park when the tilt wheel is up...so I tip it down to move shifter