female stuck in park

[foxlover77]

Three days ago my daughter was driving my 1997 Jimmy and the throttle stuck open- Luckily she was in a parking lot. With both feet on the brakes, the car was still moving and she shoved it into park. Throttle problem is fixed. Yesterday, after driving for two days w/no problems - I started it up and it won't shift out of park. There is a clicking sound under the steering column when I push the button on the gear shifter. It is an automatic 4wd,4 dr. A friend checked the transmission and said , fortunately, it is ok(he is a mechanic).

[goser]

Well if the transmission is ruled out... It could be a problem between the brake switch and the shifter (the one that keeps it in park until you depress the brake) but that clicking noise is likely the ignition solenoid. Can you push the shifter button all the way in or only partially? Ever replaced the ignition switch?

Try this:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ition+solenoid

[foxlover77]

Thankyou for your reply. I can only push the button partially in (hardly at all,actually); and the ignition switch has never been replaced.

[goser]

Sounds like a brake switch problem. You can find instructions on how to get to it here: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...t=brake+switch
and here:
http://autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker...3d8018cb1f.jsp

If that doesn't work you might have to open the console shifter to check for obvious problems there, or at least clean off the contacts.

'97's seem to be notorious for bad ignition switches. The clicking noise from the solenoid could be related or might be a separate problem. Try searching the blazer forum and you'll get lots of info on it. Now might be the time to replace it to avoid any future problems.

[Luka1]

I realize this is not a newer thread.

I also realize I am not answering your real question.

But I do have a bit of advice for you and your daughter...

Next tme you find yourself in a stuck throttle situation, the very first thing you should do is to reach down and turn off the key.

That will save all the stress and terror of trying to control the car with the engine racing. And it will help prevent major problems that could happen within the engine if it is allowed to race too long like that.

Even if the car is doing 60 on the highway, turn that ignition off as your first reaction. It is better to try to stop and/or steer the car without power, than to try to control it with the engine racing.



Don't ask me how I personally learned that lesson about 20 years ago...