Stuck Shift Knob !!@#!@

[Intriguer]

Ok, this has gotten progressively worse over past year. In the mornings especially, the shift knob engage button, is STUCK! Crazy stuck, it takes all ive got to get it to engage, ive even rigged a roll of tape, MacGyver type tool to help? Whats goin on w/ that thing?

[Bill V]

I believe you are experiencing the famous BTSI solenoid failure. It is only available as part of the shifter assembly...

[Intriguer]

I opened it up last night for the first time, and it looks like there is a pinkish color "cylinder" that is not depressing. It is lubricated, sorta, is that whats wrong, can i just lube it up a little?

[Intriguer]

Ive dug in deeper, it appears the problem, is a jammed up "pontiac coil" what is this, can i just apply lubricant or liquid graphite to it without any problems?

[Intriguer]

diagnosis was correct from bill v, it is a solenoid, anyone know where i can get this part, it seems hard to find, or better yet, how to install it? or is there a quick rig/fix?

[Bill V]

The only way to get this part from GM is to buy a complete shifter assembly.

[robsieb]

Has anyone had any luck with this? Is there an alternative to replacing the solenoid?

[Intriguer]

i spoke w/ a friend who is a buick/gmc mechanic at a dealership. He told me that was a common problem and he would do it for the cost of the assembly, which was 200. Mind you, that is minus labor. His response to "cant i do only the solenoid, was" simply NO. have to do it all. There is no alternative, it is an electronic part.

[robsieb]

Anyone have an idea on how labor intensive this is or what exactly needs to be done. I've not torn into mine yet but am experiencing the same problems.