Cannot shift into Park

hurricanes · #1 10-28-2008, 07:02 PM

1998 GTP 113k miles

When i got home from work yesterday, i was not able to shift the car into park the first time I tried it but it worked the second time. Today when i got to work, I could not shift into park no matter what I tried. Could it be something simple like a fuse?

tblake · #2 10-28-2008, 09:34 PM

It sounds like the shift linkages are out of adjustment.

Do you see that little cap next to the shifter? Pop that off, and insert something in there as you try to shift into park. Will it go?

mentel · #3 10-28-2008, 09:36 PM

Actually I think your lockout is stuck. Those cars had lots of problems with the shifter lockouts getting stuck in the "out" position. Usually they release when you depress the brake pedal. Could be a fuse issue too as those are actuated by a solenoid. Your owners manual should have a breakdown of your fuse panel and which one is the park fuse.

hurricanes · #4 10-28-2008, 10:10 PM

Thanks. I will try both suggestions tomorrow. Also, my trunk will not pop open either (by the keyless entry or the glovebox button) Coincidence? It seems like something electrical is acting up. I will report back with the results.

mentel · #5 10-28-2008, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hurricanes

Thanks. I will try both suggestions tomorrow. Also, my trunk will not pop open either (by the keyless entry or the glovebox button) Coincidence? It seems like something electrical is acting up. I will report back with the results.

Your trunk issue definatly is a fuse. That fuse is shared with other components, so try sourcing it and replacing it. If it blows again you must look at all the other components tied into that circuit and see which one is acting up and blowing out the fuse.

Highbeamz · #6 10-28-2008, 11:58 PM

My trunk will not open if the car isn't in park...is it doing this while not in park, or even when in park?

mentel · #7 10-29-2008, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highbeamz

My trunk will not open if the car isn't in park...is it doing this while not in park, or even when in park?

It's a safety feature provided by GM.

You do not want to accidentally open your trunk while driving down the freeway!

BNaylor · #8 10-29-2008, 06:02 AM

This issue does not sound like a typical BTSI/Shift Interlock problem.

To the OP are your backup lamps working in reverse? The trunk release circuits use the same 12 volts from the B/U LP fuse (10A) located at the engine compartment fuse box. What is common between the two is the transmission range switch located on the back, top of the transaxle. Just follow the shifter cable where it comes out the firewall into the engine compartment. The range switch lets the PCM module know what gear the car is in and provides the PRND321 indication at the IP. So check the electrical connector to it and it is possible the contact(s) used in the range switch is flaky. The circuit is easy to troubleshoot with a multimeter (DMM) and GM wiring diagrams.

hurricanes · #9 10-29-2008, 09:37 AM

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all of the replies. You guys are great. I checked the fuse and that was fine. I tried the manual override next to the shifter and i still could not put it in Park. I then took off the shifter knob and noticed that the yellow nylon rod inside was slightly chipped at the top. It seems that the shift button was not making clean contact with this rod. After taking the knob off and moving the rod around, it is working again. I am thinking about adding a small piece to the top of this yellow rod to ensure that it is making full contact with the button.

Yes the trunk was not working because I could not put it in park. You guys are on point.

i hope this will help someone with a similar issue.

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