Will not shift out of park

Tiny
BRANDYCURTIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 5.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 168,000 MILES
Had no problems prior to this. Husband went out to come home from work and when he started the car it turned over fine, but when he went to shift into gear the shifter would not move. Transmission is automatic. I told him to attempt to shift to neutral with key is accessories, he said it was a no go. He is stuck in another state. Please help.
Saturday, July 11th, 2015 AT 10:40 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,053 POSTS
It could be a couple things. First, there is a park lock solenoid which prevents the shifter from being moved from park unless your foot is on the brake. So, check to see if the brake lights are coming on. If they are not, chances are either there is a bad fuse or the brake light switch is bad. If they are coming on lets test the shift lock solenoid for power.

Here is a guide and the location of the solenoid:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the diagrams (below).

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers
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Sunday, July 12th, 2015 AT 8:09 PM
Tiny
LATOYARHODES
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My husband took the console apart to find the shifter was jammed because a tooth pick got down in there holding the release from working lol. All fixed thanks for your help.
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Friday, April 20th, 2018 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
BENITA WARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 86,000 MILES
In the winter I have to warm my car up for at least 20 minutes before it will go out of park and into gear. Lately its been doing it in the mornings now and its not even cold out. But right now it only takes a couple minutes of warming for it to go into gear. But once it starts getting cold outside it will take the full 20 minutes to warm up before I can put it into gear
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 1:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
When it wont go out of gear can you hear the solenoid clicking under the center console when you step on the brake?Are your brake lights working when it wont come out of gear?
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 1:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JBLAZE1088
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 63,000 MILES
Ya got in my car today, started it up, and it wouldn't come out of park. Could you please give me a couple tips? Is it a fuse? Please help!
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 1:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,053 POSTS
This may sound like a stupid question, but are the brake lights working? The switch is what actuates the park lock solenoid. If it doesn't send a signal, it won't come out of park.
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 1:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
06COBALT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 80,000 MILES
2006 Cobalt clicking sound when brake pedal depressed, hard shifting, cruise control won' engage and power door locks inoperative when shifting into park. I get a clicking sound heard and felt in automatic transmission shifter when brake pedal depressed and power door locks do not automatically operate when shifting in/out of park. Are these related by a common switch or electrical circuit?
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
When stepping on the brake its normal to hear and feel a clicking noise that is the brake interlock solenoid releasing when stepping on the brake like it should. That is a safety feature so you cant put the car into gear without your foot on the brake. Do you have any codes in the computer?Have you checked for any yet?Does the cruise control light up when turning it on?
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CIRCLE15
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
Engine Performance problem
2006 Chevy Cobalt Automatic 9200 miles

I was driving my car, I only went a few miles and it stopped in the middle of the road as if I had pulled the key out of the ignition. I put it into park, turned the key and it started right up. I drove another mile or so to my destination, parked the car without any additional trouble. On the return trip it happened again. The car stopped in the road and I was able to start it again without any trouble.

I would appreciate any assistance as to what caused it and how to repair it. I will have a mechanic repair it but I want to know what caused it and what he should do to repair it.
It goes without saying the drivers behind me wern't very happy and I was lucky I didn't have an accident.
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,053 POSTS
This could be caused by a few things. It could have to do with fuel pressure to the engine, a sensor, or the ignition system. Did the check engine light come on at any point?
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PELLAND2008
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
Transmission problem
2006 Chevy Cobalt 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

the transmission shift lock is not working where can I get a exploded view of this area of the car of info on how to fix the problem long term
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JNOVACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 723 POSTS
The shift lock is activated by the ignition in the on or run position and the brake peddle depressed first check the brake switch that is attatched to the brake peddle (at the top) but I think your car is still under warrenty
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)

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