New to forum - couple of questions

[GrandPrixMN]

I picked up an 07 GP base model last fall for my son. Done a few things to it but the best upgrade was ditching the factory 16's for some aftermarket 18's. Here's my latest concern. I figured out that you don't have to have your foot on the brake to shift the car into gear. I also found out that when the car is in gear it can be turned off and the key can be removed from the ignition (I figured this one out when the car wasn't running). I thought there was a safety feature that doesn't allow the key to be removed if the car is turned off while in gear? Limited online research has lead me to the interlock solenoid. Does that sound right? I was thinking about replacing the shifter assembly with a used unit off ebay to see if that helped. Here are some of my questions:

1. Is the interlock solenoid located on the shifter assembly?
2. How difficult is it to replace the entire shifter assembly?
3. Is there more than one interlock solenoid (I've seen reference to one under the steering column)?
4. Has anyone else experienced this and if so how did the fix it?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[GrandPrixMN]

Here's a pic of the car with the 18's.

[Scottydoggs]

I picked up an 07 GP base model last fall for my son. Done a few things to it but the best upgrade was ditching the factory 16's for some aftermarket 18's. Here's my latest concern. I figured out that you don't have to have your foot on the brake to shift the car into gear. I also found out that when the car is in gear it can be turned off and the key can be removed from the ignition (I figured this one out when the car wasn't running). I thought there was a safety feature that doesn't allow the key to be removed if the car is turned off while in gear? Limited online research has lead me to the interlock solenoid. Does that sound right? I was thinking about replacing the shifter assembly with a used unit off ebay to see if that helped. Here are some of my questions:

1. Is the interlock solenoid located on the shifter assembly?
2. How difficult is it to replace the entire shifter assembly?
3. Is there more than one interlock solenoid (I've seen reference to one under the steering column)?
4. Has anyone else experienced this and if so how did the fix it?

Thanks in advance for your help!

is this whole post because your key comes out when turned to run? if so the lock is worn out, mine slides out like butter, dont care.

if you want it to lock in again, you need a new key and ignition lock cylinder.

[GrandPrixMN]

Nope. That's part of it but my main concern is being able to shift the car into gear without pressing the brake. I'd like to know if anyone else has experienced this and if so what they did to fix it.

[ericspecullaas]

mine is the same and i like it. 1 if i forget something then i can run in and get it with the ac on

[CrazyGuy03]

Must be a Pontiac thing. When I had my grand am, you could remove the keys while it was running in gear or not.

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

So it shifts out of park with no brake pedal??

Because it's normal to be able to go from reverse to drive and drive to nuetral without touching the brake.

I'd be looking at the interlock dealio if it shifts out of park with no brake pedal.

[J57ltr]

You are right you should not me able to shift out of part without pressing the brake (although when I started driving this wasn't even a thing yet) and the key in the dash should also not come out of the lock unless it's in the off position. Mine will come out and it's worn so no surprise there it will set a Service Theft System on the DIC if I do that with the car running (like checking the mail). I typically don't do that, but I have accidentally shifted into Neutral set the parking brake and turned the car "off" and yanked the key out and went in the house and came out to a dead battery once because the accessory was still on.

There are 2 solenoids one for the steering wheel and one for the shiftier. I haven't been in mine so I am not sure how difficult it is but looks like the center console would have to come up to access it.

Jeff

[GrandPrixMN]

Yep...you can shift the car out of park without pressing the brake pedal.

I decided I'm going to try replacing the shifter assembly with a used unit off ebay along with the brake pedal position sensor. I'll follow up once I've completed the repairs.

[Scottydoggs]

people have been known to zip tie the shift lock in the shiftier when the lock solenoid takes a dump. take a look at that first. also look for busted wires to the shiftier. iirc busted wires keep it form coming out of part even when you are pushing the brake pedal. and iirc theres some thing to do with the brake light switch too. make sure your brake lights work.