2008 Cant get out of PARK

[Richard L.]

Guys and Gals,
Lately and not infrequently, my automatic 2008 coupe (29K mi) refuses to get out of the PARK position. The car fires up just fine but I never know if it's going to be easy to get it our of P and into D or R. After a couple of attempts it does shift out of the P position and all's well. This morning after refusing twice, it then moved normally. I shifted back and forth to see if it would do it again and it behaved normally. I could hear/detect a click every time it was in the P position and stepped on the brake pedal. What gives? Is there anything that I can check/fix rather than take it to the dealer 25 miles away and out of warranty? Do I risk being left stranded someday?
Any and all advice is much appreciated.
Ric

[Jim D.]

Re: 2008 Cant get out of PARK

This thread might help - https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...hlight=shifter

[Richard L.]

Re: 2008 Cant get out of PARK

Interesting thread but I don't believe that it applies to my situation. Cable's fine, no slop in any the different position detentes (P R N D S), it's nice and tight and positive in all of the slots. It feels as though the trigger on the bottom front of the shifter knob sometimes doesn't activate a switch or solenoid that allows it to be taken out of the PARK position, in other words, it's as though I weren't stepping on the brake. This is why when I hear a click as I step on the brake I can almost feel it on the shifter knob and then I know that it will shift out--alas, it the click doesn't sound every single time and then is when I cannot shift it out of P. Could it be that I'm low on brake fluid and therefore the brake pedal doesn't generate enough pressure to release the shift knob and its lever allowing it to be taken out of PARK????

[Edward J.]

Re: 2008 Cant get out of PARK

Rich, do the brake lights work? the brake light switch under the dash activates the plunger on the shift handle to get out of park.

[Richard M.]

Re: 2008 Cant get out of PARK

Jim,

Yes that thread had info regarding losing all shift functions. Richards problem is a bit different. I had similar intermittent problems for some time, until one day it locked up in DRIVE and would not go into REVERSE. I was able to get the car home.

In the shifter, there is a interlock solenoid. When the brake pedal is depressed, it activates a relay(located in the passenger footwell), which energizes the interlock solenoid to release a plastic pawl in the shifter. This then allows the shifter release button to be pressed and then it can move into other gears.

Here is a description of the function

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Description and Operation

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 the PARK position. The system consists of the following components:

•	The automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid

•	The remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR)

•	The transmission control module (TCM)

With the ignition in the ON position, battery positive voltage is supplied to the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid located within the shift lever assembly. The automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid receives a ground from the RCDLR. The RCDLR receives input thought data communications from the TCM indicating transmission gear position and brake pedal position. With the shift lever in the PARK position the internal park switch of the shift lever assembly closes allowing current to flow to the RCDLR. When the RCDLR receives a data communication that the brake pedal is depressed and the transmission is in the PARK position the RCDLR supplies a ground the shift lock control solenoid control circuit. This energizes the solenoid and allows the shift lever to be moved out of the PARK position. With the shift lever out of the PARK position the internal park switch in the shift lever assemble opens, this de-energies the shift lock control solenoid.


A common problem is the solenoid gets dry, or the shifter mechanism sticks. If the brake lamps work, the Relay and RCDLR is good. I had this problem not that long ago on my '06 coupe. I opened up the shifter and released the stuck mechanism. I then did modification similar to what is shown in this thread.....

http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c6-tech-performance/3196793-2005-c6-auto-s-stuck-in-park-solution-with-pics.html

It's a bit involved but if you follow the instructions you can open it up yourself. In my case the pawl was jammed in the mechanism and I was able to free it. I also lubricated the solenoid pin and the pivots. I added a cable and drilled a hole in the front of the armrest storage as a emergency release cable. I haven't had to use it as yet, but it's there if I need it.

Rich

edit. posting pictures from the above thread for future reference.

c6auto1.jpgc6auto2.jpgc6auto3.jpg

[Richard L.]

Re: 2008 Cant get out of PARK

Ed,
Very interesting piece of information!
So, I just went out t the garage and here's what I found.
1. Brake lights do not come on when the engine is off.
2. Brake lights DO come on and function as expected when engine is running.
3. There's an audible click when I press on the brake and hold the shift knob. In fact, I think I can feel the click on the knob as though there were a switch or solenoid of some kind in the knob. Am I right?

[Richard L.]

Re: 2008 Cant get out of PARK

Guys,
I've just finished downloading all of the threads on this problem in the Corvette Forum. Truly an impressive and informative archive. Nice to discover several options (disabling system, fixing system, temporary-while-away-from-home fix) as well as an explanation of how things are supposed to work AND pictures for those of us instructions challenged.
So, thank you Jim, Ed and Rich.
Ric

[Chuck G.]

Re: 2008 Cant get out of PARK

The problem got so annoying in my 06 that I cut the lock pawl off. The second picture posted by Richard Mozzetta shows the pawl.

I was going to drill a hole and tie it back with a wire as is shown in the pic, but I just cut it off. The faulty solenoid is non-replaceable. The "cure" offered by the dealership is to replace the entire shifter at a cost in the $800.00 range.

In the owners manual is a description of how to get the car out of PARK if the shifter sticks. It entails shutting the car off, turning the "key" to the ACC position, pushing the brake, and removing the shifter from PARK and starting the car in NEUTRAL. That got to be a pain for me.

Chuck

[Richard M.]

Re: 2008 Cant get out of PARK

The most difficult part of any of the fixes, is access. In order to remove the console, there are several electrical connectors that must be removed. Each one has a unique plug and release mechanism. The wires are short which makes it very difficult to gain access to the plugs.

Don't force any of the connector plugs or they will break. Fish around with a small screwdriver to release the appropriate lock tab and be gentle.

In the photo of the pawl, you can see where it was held back with wire. I brought the wire into the center console with a pull handle. I didn't want to totally disable the intelock.

Rich

[Jimmy B.]

Re: 2008 Cant get out of PARK

Ric,

it's "trade-in" time, go get that new Z06 and be happy!

Jimmy