Cannot depress shift button to shift out of park

4wd lock on

Hi there,

Some automatic vehicles rely on the brake switch (mounted on brake pedal) to be activated by depressing brake pedal. This signal then operates a relay and switch, to release the gear lever.

Firstly, I would check the brake pedal switch (are your brake lights working?).

If brake switch is confirmed OK, then inspect the relay (and related circuit components) of the gear release switch.

Shift - interlock system problem .
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System
The automatic transmission shift lock control system is a safety device that prevents an inadvertent shift out of PARK when the engine is running. The driver must press the brake pedal before moving the shift lever out of PARK position. The system consists of the following components:
• The automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid
• The automatic transmission park lock solenoid
• The automatic transmission shift lock control switch
• The transmission range switch
With the ignition in the ON position, battery voltage is supplied to the automatic transmission shift lock control switch. The circuit continues through the normally-closed switch to the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid. The transmission range switch provides a path to ground for the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid in the PARK position. With the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid energized the shift lever is mechanically locked in the PARK position. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the contacts in the automatic transmission shift lock control switch open, de-energizing the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid. This allows the shift lever to move from the PARK position. When the shift lever is out of the PARK position the controlled ground contacts in the transmission range switch open. This prevents the automatic transmission shift lock solenoid from energizing when the vehicle is out of the PARK position.

There is a safety switch on the brake pedal. You have to step on the brake to put it in gear.

These cars have a shift interlock switch that prevents the car from being shifted out of park if you don't depress the brake. If your brake lights work, then the switch it good. It isn't uncommon that the interlock solenoid fails. The solenoid moves the lock release when you depress the brake. If you look on the side of the console you can see a notch cut out. You can put a screwdriver in there to push the interlock and shift it from park. Of course, you don't want to do this all the time so you either need to replace the interlock solenoid (last I checked they were about $150) or just defeat the solenoid with a zip tie. The only problem with the zip tie is that you don't have to depress the brake to shift it from park and it can be shifted from park even if the key is not in it. Your owners manual will have better detail and pictures of the interlock and where to put the screwdriver to manually shift it from park.

In the area of the shifter (in the center console), there is a shift lock solenoid that is activated by the brake switch. This solenoid prevents shifting out of the Park position unless the brake pedal is depressed. Your problem could be either the brake switch or the solenoid. I would try replacing the switch first.

2002 chevy trailblazer on neutral mode, trailblazer can be pushed easily,but shifter is stuck on park. vehicle will start.the push button on shifter will not engage

This car has a lock out device as all vehicles have. You need to depress the brake firmly to shift into gear as you may know. The solenoid that retracts the lock out for the shifting is at fault and needs to be replaced. You will see it if you remove the entire top of the shifting console

The park lock-out solenoid is bad. It locks the shifter in park until you depress the brake pedal. You can remove the console and replace this solenoid or defeat it with a zip-tie.

thats a safety feature there is no compromise