Grand Prix stuck in park

[Pokealong1227]

I bought my 2003 Grand Prix GT last october. I absolutely love it. Custom stereo, interior lights, did some cleaning up of all the ugly decals that the previous owner had, custom exhaust, etc.
I have had a few little issues like the AC not working but it was winter so I didn't need it. One problem that popped up was the shifter. When I press in the break it's like it doesn't detect it. It refuses to shift out of park unless I use the shift lock release button next to the shifter then it works just fine. Any thoughts of how I can troubleshoot this or maybe even possibly fix it? Any advice will be helpful. Never owned or driven a car that had issues with this so it's just kind of strange.

[ericspecullaas]

i would check connections first if its unpluged then it wouldnt work

[Pokealong1227]

Where would I check? Would it be in the center console? Sorry for sounding like an idiot, just never seen this problem before.

[RareGMFan]

There's no reason it would be unplugged. What happens is the wires running to/from the brake release solenoid connector and the shifter release switch are very prone to breaking. When this happened to my car, I found that the previous owner had repaired a broken wire inside the console once already. Another couple wires broke AT the connector when I tried to unplug it from the shifter release switch. Rather than trying to rebuild that connector, I just tore out an entire harness from a car in the yard. Plugged everything back in with the new harness, and it was good to go. If the harness ends up being your issue, and you go this route, keep in mind that the harness for with and without heated seat are different, so buy a replacement accordingly.

The only other thing it could be is the solenoid itself went bad and needs to be replaced, but that's rarely the case. Here's a good video for diagnosing and shows you where the wiring harness is.

2002 Pontiac Grand Prix "Press Brake to shift from Park" switch fix - YouTube

[Pokealong1227]

There's no reason it would be unplugged. What happens is the wires running to/from the brake release solenoid connector and the shifter release switch are very prone to breaking. When this happened to my car, I found that the previous owner had repaired a broken wire inside the console once already. Another couple wires broke AT the connector when I tried to unplug it from the shifter release switch. Rather than trying to rebuild that connector, I just tore out an entire harness from a car in the yard. Plugged everything back in with the new harness, and it was good to go. If the harness ends up being your issue, and you go this route, keep in mind that the harness for with and without heated seat are different, so buy a replacement accordingly.

The only other thing it could be is the solenoid itself went bad and needs to be replaced, but that's rarely the case. Here's a good video for diagnosing and shows you where the wiring harness is.

2002 Pontiac Grand Prix "Press Brake to shift from Park" switch fix - YouTube

Man I looked everywhere and couldn't find any video close to that. I really appreciate it. Finishing some studying right now then when I'm done I'll check that out. Hopefully that's the case and I can get it fixed before work in the morning.

[00grandprixgtp]

ya will be a broken wire for sure does the key still come out ok? mine did that and the key didn't come out as well

[Pokealong1227]

ya will be a broken wire for sure does the key still come out ok? mine did that and the key didn't come out as well

Everything works perfect except it doesn't shift out of park unless I press in the shift lock release. About to take it apart and see if that's the problem.

[Pokealong1227]

Well unfortunately that's not it. All the wires are perfect. Coating around them is fine, connections are fine, none are cut, it all looks great other than being a little dirty.

[RareGMFan]

Not so fast. It doesn't just happen at/near the connector. It can happen ANYwhere along the entire harness. Yes, even under the factory electric tape wrapping. That's where the break in the wire that the previous owner repaired on mine was. I'd get a multimeter and check them before you completely rule out wires. If that checks out and it's not the wires, than it's most likely the brake solenoid behind the brake pedal.

[Pokealong1227]

Not so fast. It doesn't just happen at/near the connector. It can happen ANYwhere along the entire harness. Yes, even under the factory electric tape wrapping. That's where the break in the wire that the previous owner repaired on mine was. I'd get a multimeter and check them before you completely rule out wires. If that checks out and it's not the wires, than it's most likely the brake solenoid behind the brake pedal.

I'll do that. Thanks. I'll be back with the results.

[Pokealong1227]

Well has I was removing the harness again the orange wire with a black line just popped right out. Others seem kinda loose. Gonna re-secure all the connections and see what happens.

[Pokealong1227]

Took the little metal piece out, soldered it back on, shoved it back in, and it works like new now. Thanks for the help guys!