My transmission is stuck in park?

Tiny
RAYMOND55
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CADILLAC CTS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 52,000 MILES
I have a cadillac 2005 cts battery was dead jump started started fine but won't shift from park after depressing brake?
Saturday, December 11th, 2010 AT 11:42 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Your fuse for this is in the panel under the rear seat on the left side. there is also a relay there that activates the shift interlock. Here is a guide with the fuse locations below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, December 12th, 2010 AT 12:51 AM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
Most common fault is the shift interlock solenoid that is part of the shifter.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Sunday, December 12th, 2010 AT 6:58 PM
Tiny
CADILLACURIOUS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Shift interlock solenoid doesnt seem to be too common as I thought. I have the same problem and replaced the shift interlock sol. Prob is still present. Hmac300 does the fuse blow easily after jump starting? Is the relay a common prob?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 AT 6:12 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It shouldn't blow after jump starting unless there was a wire that has rubbed through. Relays can go bad anytime but those are the easiest and cheapest things to do first.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 AT 8:29 PM
Tiny
CADILLACURIOUS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2005 CADILLAC CTS
  • 6 CYL
Shifter wont come out of park. Replaced shift interlock solenoid. Problem still present.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check ignition 3 relay in left rear fuse block and the rear integration module-
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CADILLACURIOUS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Do you happen to know what the relay sends power to? Also would you happen to know how the shift interlock system works as a whole? As far as shift interlock sol, brake switch, fuses, relays, modules? I really appreciate the help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
See below
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CADILLACURIOUS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks for the help
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MOE58
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CADILLAC CTS
  • 3.2L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 78,000 MILES
Key will not come out ignition gearshift will not move.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Hello,

This is a common problem. What happens is there is a bushing on the shift linkage that goes out not allowing the shifter to fully engage the transmission and ignition interlock system. Here is a guide to help fix it. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HUEY1480
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 CADILLAC CTS
  • 3.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
The light remains in "D" shifter in park. When I took apart the top of the console I manually took it out of park but it doesn't have any resistance as if it's is actually switching between gears. All fuses ar good and I haven't had any problems out of it. Made an hour and a half drive, parked, then drove it about 6 hours later. Put it in park, got back in and drove it approximately 7 miles home and that's where I am now. Help!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
4DRTOM
  • MECHANIC
  • 467 POSTS
Hello,

I'm Tom I will give you a hand. Sounds to me like the linkage on the transmission has come off. Has anyone done work on the car lately? Give me a second I will get the info for where you should look. Here is the linkage spot. Let me get a clearer picture though. You are saying it's in drive only. No Reverse, no Park, but you were able to start it by moving the shifter into park to engage the starter but when it started it was in Drive? The linkage could be bad at the shifter also.
Tom
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HUEY1480
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I was able to move the shifter to park, however the car won't start. I believe because it's in drive.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
4DRTOM
  • MECHANIC
  • 467 POSTS
Hi,

Yes, it thinks it's in drive. Are you able to get under the car to look at the linkage? I think that where we need to start.
Let me know.
Tom
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HUEY1480
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I'll look at it tomorrow. Do I put the selector in drive when repairing the linkage if that is in fact the problem?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
4DRTOM
  • MECHANIC
  • 467 POSTS
Huey,

Yes on the reconnect or install of the cable. The reverse light coming on when all is done is how you will make sure its adjustment is correct, the indicator on"R", transmission in its second position, light on (REV) will get you to the spot to tighten the adjuster. Then test to make sure its all good
I would put the selector into what you believe is in Drive then slowly move it through all of them counting the clicks or selections making they are all there, see if you can notice if the reverse lights come on, see if the cable coming in is loose. That's what we are looking for under there. Linkage cables don't really break unless it was ever crashed. they get messed up at the ends where they connect. Either the spot that holds the casing solid or the cable end and connects to its lever. We are looking at the same type of thing on the shifter in the console as well. The center console shifter if accidentally hit hard enough could cause this issue. I attached link to a general article for a related part to give you an idea of what is down there at the linkage on the transmission
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-neutral-safety-switch-works
Tom

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:47 AM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links