Gear Shift Shaft will not Move from park to drive

PHIL NUMBER ONE

MEMBER
2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
144,250 MILES

I have a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix over the past two weeks I am having a problem with the gear shift it is a floor unit. When I start the car on occasion the shift will not engage. I cannot dpress the shift button. Sometimes I try and it finally engages in 20 seconds sometimes iot will not. I then have to depress the lock release button on the shift console and it will engage the button. Once in gear I can shift to any other gears with no problem.

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Have the shift interlock control system checked out-

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Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 AT 9:03 AM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

To add to this. The shift interlock operates on the same circuit as the brake lights so the first thing you want to do is to make sure the brake lights are working when this problem is present. If the brake lights are working, that proves the circuit is good up to that point, then you'll have to get to the solenoid in the console/column. Disassemble as much as you have to to access the solenoid near the shifting mechanism. Us a 12v test light to test for power coming and going at the solenoid when the brake is applied. If power is arriving and switching and the solenoid is not triggering, the solenoid is bad and will have to be replaced.