1998 chevrolet malibu. cannot move car because shift gear will not move from park gear. have had problem on and off. once it engages it is all right. this last time I have not been able to shift out of park gear.
The lever inside the transmission that engages and disengages the "park pal" has most likely come loose or broken altogether. If you are mechanicly inclined and want to verify this you can pull the pan off the trans and look at the park pal and conecting rod to see if it is broken.
Also there is a chance that the stering columb rod that is part of the key switch has broken off and wedged into the shift lever.
Ps. please dont forget to rate the solution. Thanks.
I had the same problem but my cousing, who is a mechanic, opened the whole thing up and removed the safety catch. Now, this is not the best of ideas because the car will shift now without your foot being on the brake but I have had it this way for a while and no troubles shifting in or out anymore.
This is for newer malibu's, but may work for you too.
#08-05-22-009: Intermittently Brake Lights (Stop
Lamp) Do Not Function Correctly, Extended Travel to Shift Out of Park,
Cruise Control Inoperative, DTC C0161/C0277 Set (Perform Repair as
Outlined) - (Dec 4, 2008)
Subject: Intermittently Brake Lights (Stop Lamp) Do Not Function
Correctly, Extended Travel to Shift Out of Park, Cruise Control
Inoperative, DTCs C0161/C0277 Set (Perform Repair as Outlined)
Models: 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu, Malibu Maxx
2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
2005-2009 Pontiac G6
2007-2009 Saturn AURA
--------------------------------------…
Condition
Some customers may comment that intermittently the brake lights do not
function correctly. Other symptoms may include extended pedal travel
required to shift out of PARK, cruise control does not function
correctly, and DTC C0161 and/or C0277 may be set.
Cause
The most likely cause of this condition is high resistance due to
terminal fretting corrosion in the body control module (BCM) C2
connector (specifically pins C2-18, C2-31 and C2-59).
Correction
DO NOT replace the BCM for this condition. Disconnecting the C2
connector, adding dielectric silicone grease and reconnecting the C2
connector per the procedure below will correct the high resistance
condition due to terminal fretting corrosion.
Remove the right side front floor console side trim panel to access to the Body Control Module (BCM).
Locate the C2 connector on the BCM.
Unlatch the C2 connector and disconnect the C2 connector from the BCM.
Reconnect the C2 connector back on the BCM and re-latch.
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 (this step cleans up the terminal fretting corrosion).
Using the Tech 2®, verify the brake pedal position sensor (BPPS) voltage is between:
• 0.88V - 2.11V (for 2004-2006 model years)
• 0.73V - 1.47V (for 2007-2009 model years)
Check for proper operation of the brake lights.
• If the brakes lights are operating properly, remove the C2 connector again from the BCM and proceed to Step 8.
• If the brake lights are not operating properly, proceed to Step 12.
Apply dielectric lubricant (clear gel) GM P/N 12377900 (In Canada, use
P/N 10953529) on the BCM C2 pins (apply with a one-inch nylon bristle
brush) on all the C2 connector pins (this will treat the pins against
fretting corrosion).
Reconnect the C2 connector back on the BCM and re-latch.
Reinstall the right side front floor console side trim panel.
Using the Tech 2®, check that the BPPS ratio is equal to BPPS learned home when the brake pedal is not depressed.
• If they are equal, brake lamps should be operating correctly and no further steps are necessary.
• If they are not equal, perform the Brake Pedal Position Sensor Calibration procedure in SI to complete the repair.
Check the brake lights for proper operation. If incorrect, refer to SI and perform normal diagnostics.
Source(s):
gm tech
More than likely none of these solutions are going to fix the actual problem. The tip-off is during cold weather it won't shift but once the car is warm it will. It is possible it is something else, but 99.99% of the time it is the shift lock solenoid in the shift console. Remove the clip with a flathead screwdriver, pull up on the shift handle to remove it. Gently pull up on the console cover to remove it. Remove the electrical connector to the solenoid. Take off the solenoid and clean it with a good contact cleaner and silicone grease. Reassemble. Save $400.00 because you have to buy the whole shift assembly unless cleaning works, which it usually will. Start car, slam a mtn dew, shift, drive away.
I have the EXACT same problem. I ended up breaking the shifter into two pieces from trying to move it. It's especially bad in the cold and I have to wait until the car heats up to shift out of park. I was thinking of taking it to the dealership, but I'm on a fixed income.
If you take the top shift hadle off (pull the hairpin on the back side) you will noticd that you can easily shift by depressing the vertical rod in the shift column. This leads me to believe that the issue is simpler than what is currently being posted... The problem is probably in the top button handle. This is simple to replace. I'm looking into finding the handle as we speak.
If you take the top shift hadle off (pull the hairpin on the back side) you will noticd that you can easily shift by depressing the vertical rod in the shift column. This leads me to believe that the issue is simpler than what is currently being posted... The problem is probably in the top button handle. This is simple to replace. I'm looking into finding the handle as we speak.
×
Check the shift cable
The
shifter needs to be inspected. The shifter assembly is got misaligned, it has
to be open and realign.
There
are many other possibilities. But if it was working right up till now and
suddenly this occurred then its shifter
assembly alignment issue.
Also
i suggest you to refer these gear shift issues, which are mostly noticed. These
are direct links with appropriate solutions to
the specific problems of gear ****.
GEAR SHIFT ISSUES
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html
----------
Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
----------
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
-------
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html
-------
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/2007-hyundai-santa-fe-will-not-shift.html
These details will help.
Thanks.
The
shifter needs to be inspected. The shifter assembly is got misaligned, it has
to be open and realign.
There
are many other possibilities. But if it was working right up till now and
suddenly this occurred then its shifter
assembly alignment issue.
Also
i suggest you to refer these gear shift issues, which are mostly noticed. These
are direct links with appropriate solutions to
the specific problems of gear ****.
GEAR SHIFT ISSUES
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html
----------
Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
----------
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
-------
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html
-------
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/2007-hyundai-santa-fe-will-not-shift.html
These details will help.
Thanks.
The
shifter needs to be inspected. The
shifter assembly is got misaligned, it has to be open and realign.
There
are many other possibilities. But if it was working right up till now and
suddenly this occurred then its shifter
assembly alignment issue.
Also
i suggest you to refer these gear shift issues, which are mostly noticed. These
are direct links with appropriate solutions to
the specific problems of gear ****.
GEAR SHIFT ISSUES
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html
----------
Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
----------
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
-------
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html
-------
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/2007-hyundai-santa-fe-will-not-shift.html
These details will help.
Thanks.
GEAR SHIFT ISSUES
Gear
indicator Shows "3" Instead Of "D"?
http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/gear-indicator-shows-3-instead-of-d.html
---------
2006 Chrysler 300c: Shifter Stuck in Park?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006-chrysler-300c-shifter-stuck-in.html
----------
1998 Ford Expedition: Will not Shift Out of
Park?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-ford-expedition-will-not-shift-out.html
---------
Car will not move when in gear?
http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html
-----------
Mercedes-Benz transmission sticks in first gear?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html
----------
Mercedes Benz not engaging in first gear?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html
----------
Chrysler PT Cruiser only goes in First gear?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html
----------
Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html
-------
2007 Ford Expedition: How to shift car in neutral with Dead Battery
http://www.howtorepairguide.com/2012/11/2007-ford-expedition-how-to-shift-car.html
--------
2002 Nissan sentra will not go out of park mode?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html
--------
Nissan Sentra stuck in park?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html
---------
Car will not come out of Park?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html
-----------
Automatic transmission will not go into high
gear?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
----------
Car won't downshift sometimes?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
--------
Buick Park Avenue: Transmission will
Not shift into drive?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
------------
No
First gear Starts In Second Gear
http://www.howtobyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/no-first-gear-starts-in-second-gear.html
-------
Ford Taurus won't shift from park?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html
---------
2006 Ford F150: Will Not Shift out Of Park?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006-ford-f150-will-not-shift-out-of.html
--------
Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
----------
1998 Chrysler Voyager: Transmission Problem?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-chrysler-voyager-transmission.html
------
Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key
is turned ON?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
--------
Third gear missing and engine losing power?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
--------
Chevrolet silverado has whining sound in gear?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
----------
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Z71: Gear shift
Issue?
http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-chevrolet-avalanche-z71-gear-shift.html
----------
Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
--------
Car hard shift at slow speeds?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
---------
Transmission-Hard To Down Shift
http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/07/transmission-hard-to-down-shift.html
---------
Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold
mornings?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------------
2000 Nissan maxima shifts hard?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
-------
Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while
driving?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html
-------
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe: Will not Shift out of
Park Mode?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/2007-hyundai-santa-fe-will-not-shift.html
==========These details will help.Thanks.
http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html
Mercedes-Benz transmission sticks in first gear?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html
Mercedes Benz not engaging in first gear?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html
Chrysler PT Cruiser only goes in First gear?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html
Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html
2007 Ford Expedition: How to shift car in neutral with Dead Battery
http://www.howtorepairguide.com/2012/11/2007-ford-expedition-how-to-shift-car.html
2002 Nissan sentra will not go out of park mode?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html
Nissan Sentra stuck in park?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html
Car will not come out of Park?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html
Automatic transmission will not go into high
gear?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
Car won't downshift sometimes?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
Buick Park Avenue: Transmission will Not
shift into drive?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
No
First gear Starts In Second Gear
http://www.howtobyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/no-first-gear-starts-in-second-gear.html
Ford Taurus won't shift from park?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html
2006 Ford F150: Will Not Shift out Of Park?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006-ford-f150-will-not-shift-out-of.html
Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
1998 Chrysler Voyager: Transmission Problem?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-chrysler-voyager-transmission.html
Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key
is turned ON?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
Third gear missing and engine losing power?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
Chevrolet silverado has whining sound in gear?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Z71: Gear shift
Issue?
http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-chevrolet-avalanche-z71-gear-shift.html
Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
Car hard shift at slow speeds?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
Transmission-Hard To Down Shift
http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/07/transmission-hard-to-down-shift.html
Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold
mornings?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
2000 Nissan maxima shifts hard?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while
driving?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe: Will not Shift out of
Park Mode?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/2007-hyundai-santa-fe-will-not-shift.html
----------
These will help.
Thanks.
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Usually answered in minutes!
Have same problem has to do with cold weather, and relay one quick fix so you can move car is to start car don't touch shift lever yet turn heater on full let engine run for about five to ten minutes , get inside of car warm and shifter will work fine after that or until it gets cold inside car again.
I have the same problem and YES it is cold related... I'm trying to find out if it is a cable related problem; there is a cable adjustment in the book but I have not tried it, will post again if it works. Mean while, warm the car up and it will shift into drive just fine.
Same problem here. There is a plus/minus button on the side of the shifter. It is atached to a small cable underneath the shfiter housing. I think it is getting frozen and wont let me push the front button to move the shift lever.
We first noticed last fall we'd park the car, and it was like it wasn't set in park. we had to move shifter a bit. it eventually got worse, wouldn't park when it was in park, so we would use emergency brake to hold car in park. Now we shift car, and it's like nothing is there. It doesn't go in drive, Park, or anything
The car was impounded. We went to the impound lot. The battery was dead and now it doesn't shift out of first gear. It shifted fine before.
Gear shaft moves but vehicle will not come out of park
shifter doesnt alwats move out of park
wont always move out of park
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