Stuck In Park. Shift Lock Release Doesnt Work.

**SilverGT** · 04-20-2009

So I have never had a problem with my car getting stuck in park or the the key getting stuck in the ignition.

Today, I went to get a drink at the gas station. Parked the car, went in and got what I wanted. I come back out, start the car and sure enough it wont come out of park. The strange thing is, the shift lock release wont unlock it either! Also, the key does not get stuck in the ignition.

Anyone had this problem? I really need my car and had to take the day off to try and fix it. If anyone could point me in the right starting direction I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

**DanGTP** · 04-20-2009

I had that problem a few years ago. It ended up being the wiring harness going to the shifter had a broken wire. I replaced the pig-tail, and that took care of the problem. Temporarily, pop the top part of your shift console off and manually release the solenoid that is holding the lever in park. While you're in there, check all 5 wires and make sure they are not broken at the plug.

**SilverGT** · 04-20-2009

Will those wires really prevent Shift Lock Release from not working?

**DanGTP** · 04-20-2009

The shift lock release is a mechanical lever that manually pops the solenoid out. Mine never worked, even when the car was newish. It appears that a part of the lever mechanism was broken early in this car's life, or was missing from the get-go.

**SilverGT** · 04-20-2009

Wierd. This is the first time I have ever tried it so I'm not sure if it has ever worked. But I will take it apart tommorow and see whats wrong.

Did you buy a new clip/connectors from the dealership?

**DanGTP** · 04-20-2009

I had to. That was the only place I could find one. I don't remember exactly what it was called, but it's the pigtail that plugs in at the base of the shifter. It came with 6 wires, only 5 are needed, so I un-pinned the extra one. Do yourself a favor and solder the wires in instead of just crimping them. I ended up having to go back through and solder mine about 6 months after installing the pigtail with a crimp because one of the wiggled out.

**SilverGT** · 04-20-2009

So it isnt the wires. I swapped out the shift assembly so its not that sensor. where is the switch on the transmission

**DanGTP** · 04-21-2009

The neutral safety switch is on top of the transmission on the driver's side just below the brake booster. You can get to it easily if you remove your intake tube. More than likely, though, that's not the problem. If you manually release the shifter and put it into a gear, does the transmission engage that gear?

**SilverGT** · 04-21-2009

Yes it shifts just fine. I am currently driving it around and I am just using the shift lock release.

I talked to pontiac and the shifter selenoid is grounded with the neutral saftey switch.

**panelbeater** · 10-03-2009

I just took my 2002 apart for the same reason. I can see the solenoid. I wonder if there is any info on how to test probe the solenoid to see if it is good. Here is a link to take a look inside:
Shifter knob

When it first happened, my wife tried to push down on the shift lock release and thought it wasn't working, then she realized that you have to take the cap off first to depress the release. Common to miss if you aren't familiar with it.
Is there a way to bookmark this thread to see what other answers you get

**ricky66** · 10-10-2009

My 2000 Grand Prix is doing the same thing. In order to shift the gear, I must keep pressing the safety down. I wonder if they would allow me to pass inspection because of this?
One more thing, the light on the dashboard, where the display for fuel use and oil life is going on and off. Someone tell me what's going on with that car please

**panelbeater** · 01-23-2010

Hey Dan
I am a newbie and still learning how to use the reply system. I am looking for the wire positions for the shift lock plug in my 2002 Grand Prix SE. I have 2 broken wire which I am going to solder up per your suggestion but since they broke off leaving no trace of insulator I don't know which of the 2 go back into the appropriate hole in the connector. The broken ones are one solid pink and the other purple/white stripe. They go on the same bank in the connector next to the solid orange. Thanks for your post, Panelbeater.

**TFJ2U** · 09-12-2010

My 2000 GTP would not shift out of park. I had just replaced the battery to solve a problem of the key being stuck in the ignition (and failure to start). With the new battery, it would start but not shift out of park. I tried the shift lock release and BTSI fuse with no luck. I tried moving the shifter around as I pressed the shifter button (and brake pedal) and it didn't help. I popped up the center console cover to get to the wiring and shift lock release, but I could not remove the cover because you need to shift to neutral to get it off. I could feel around and see some of the wires, but I couldn't really check the connections or the solenoid. I gave up and called my mechanic. He went under the hood and put the car in drive manually to get it to the shop. He was about to give up too, then he found the problem. The shifter knob wasn't all the way down. It seems the clip that should hold the knob in place wasn't. He bent the clip to make it fit tighter and I haven't had a problem since. So if your shifter is stuck in park, make sure the knob is down all the way before trying something more involved (and expensive).

**jmflores1970** · 07-20-2011

Hi all! I just had this happen to me today when I got out of work. When I was going to work, some plastic crate pieces were scattered on the highway underpass. I thought I had gone around them all, but I drove over one piece and felt it hit the bottom of my car. I kept driving normally, got to work and forgot about it. When I was going home, the shifter was stuck in Park. I remembered driving over those plastic crate pieces and figured that's what caused it. I've never had any trouble with this 'til today, and my car is almost 11 years old. What's weird is that when I try to shift out of Park, I hear something clicking behind my instrument panel, so yeah, sounds like an eletrical issue. I had never used the Shift Release button before, so I was not sure how I was going to get home. I finally popped up the little cover, pushed in with my key and felt a small lever go down. That released the shifter and I can drive normally now. I just need to push in with the key everytime to get it out of Park 'til I can get it fixed. At least for now, my can't can't be easily stolen. LOL

**kjohnson** · 07-26-2011

I've got a new problem that I haven't read about. I sometimes cannot get my sifter out of park. Tonight I am going to check the wires on the bottom of the shifter. My problem is when the key is not in the ignition The car wont go out of park unless you use the manual release. I am fine with this the new problem is when I put the key in and start it or put it in the run position I am able to shift to any gear without touching the brake or the release. I really don't know where to start fixing this other then the wires. If I could get some pointers that would be awesome.

**jmflores1970** · 07-27-2011

Thanks to y'all, I knew what to look for on YouTube to fix this. I found this video posted by Turbo231. In my case, it was a red wire which got cut off from the quick disconnect clip. It was the only loose wire and only one connecter was missing a wire. I just stripped the wire with scissors and pushed it back in for now. Issue resolved. One day when I have the space & tools, I'll fix it the right way by soldering it.

**Nicolette** · 08-10-2011

Ok guys after reading all your advises and troubles i was hoping to have the same outcome. well I found out today that i need a new shifter all together. I had the same problems as you all but with a different outcome.

**oldhatt45** · 03-24-2012

Panelbeater and Everyone Else.
Just finished getting my 95 GTP Engine Squared away (timing belt). And started her up. Started fine, but could not Shift out of Park. Looked at the posts on this thread and found the pictures that show the disassembly process (THANK YOU Panelbeater) and managed to get it apart without breaking anything. LOL Discconnected the Solenoid arm and was able to shift out of Park. Now to figure out what's messed up, but that's for another day..
THANKS TO ALL!!!!!

**Bob Padilla** · 03-24-2012

Originally Posted by oldhatt45

Panelbeater and Everyone Else.
Just finished getting my 95 GTP Engine Squared away (timing belt). And started her up. Started fine, but could not Shift out of Park. Looked at the posts on this thread and found the pictures that show the disassembly process (THANK YOU Panelbeater) and managed to get it apart without breaking anything. LOL Discconnected the Solenoid arm and was able to shift out of Park. Now to figure out what's messed up, but that's for another day..
THANKS TO ALL!!!!!

Where did you find pics of disassembly?

**oldhatt45** · 03-25-2012

Look at Post Number #10 from Panelbeater (the number 10 is on the right of the red band).
The words Shift Knob are in red. Clck on them and it will take you to the pictures.
Hope this helps.