the engine is fine, car starts up perfectly, but i can't get the car out of park!!! i know that the brakes and rotors have been bad, but the transmission seems to be workin fine... its a pontiac grand am 97,,,, could it be a sensor??? i've never heard of anyone having this problem b4.... thanx!!!
2006-10-09 05:14:13 · 11 answers · asked by chopstik 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
My neighbor had the same problem. There is a small hidden button next to the shifter, take a screw driver, open it and try to reset the whole system. The directions should also be in the manual. Hope this helps.
2006-10-09 05:46:53 · answer #1 · answered by Solomia 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is actually kinda funny because it just happend to me. The problem was the "stoplight switch". This switch is located behind the brake pedal and lets you switch from parking into the other gears when you press the brake. If it doesnt work you wont be able to get out of parking. You can however manualy shift into Neutral by inserting your key into a shift key slot around you shifter knob. You place the key in, drop it into neutral and then you can drive your car on Drive or reverse just dont put it on parking or you will have to do it again. My stoplight switch was $65 and had a friend put it in so i got kinda luck. I don't know what a mechanic would charge so i cant say. An easy test to see if this is the case would be to press your brake and see if the brake lights work . They will not work due to that bad switch. Good Luck
2006-10-09 05:26:01 · answer #2 · answered by MLJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thank-you GM for putting the quality in before the name goes on.
Your mind has connected the brake mechanism with the shifter for a reason, it's probably the servo or sensor or whatever mechanism allows it out of park when your foot is on the brake.
Time to spend more money on that fine GM product.
2006-10-09 05:19:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
check your brake lights, make sure they work. Are you stepping on the brake before you try to shift into park?
Sounds like the shifter interlock isn't working
2006-10-09 05:17:51 · answer #4 · answered by Magikmann 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make SURE YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BREAK PEDDLE. Turn the steering wheel back and forth while trying to shift. There are several safety switches on the shifter.
2006-10-09 05:18:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem is it is a Pontiac. You're lucky it still runs at all, given the quality of American cars.
2006-10-09 05:16:32 · answer #6 · answered by jen 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
if the transmission is good, then it might be the shifter is locked up on you and needs to be slicked with something underneath.
2006-10-09 05:19:59 · answer #7 · answered by terry m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make sure youre pushing on the brake
2006-10-09 05:15:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
push in release on the side of shifter,its for no power problems.in owners man.
2006-10-10 16:23:40 · answer #9 · answered by William h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you shopuldn't have driven into the park in the first place
2006-10-09 05:15:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋