Code P0700, check engine light on and there is a clicking sound when brake pedal is depressed?

ZJAYB26

MEMBER
2007 CHEVROLET COBALT
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

The car listed above is an LS model. It makes a clicking sound when brake pedal is depressed, won't shift out of park sometimes, 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? Also, the check engine light came on and it's a p0700 code. I cleared it and drove it less than 3 miles and it came back on.

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,443 POSTS

Okay, the description sounds like there is an issue with the transmission range switch on top of the transmission or the cable bushings in the cable are worn or broken. Either would cause this. If you can get a scan tool that can read the transmission codes, it might point you toward the issue. The P0700 code is just a placeholder to meet the OBD standards, it is basically the same as holding your hand up for attention. Just says, "Hey there's a problem with the transmission systems". If it points at the range switch it's not bad to change, it's on top of the transmission and you remove the cable, then the connector and then unbolt it following the directions. To install it you need a special tool to adjust it, but some places include it while others give you instructions on how to adjust it without the tool. Then you tighten it down and test it to be sure the transmission is going into park fully and that the engine only starts in park and neutral. Before you change the switch though have someone in the car shift it into neutral and have them shift it while you watch the lever, a bad bushing will let the shift lever move quite a bit before the transmission lever moves. They are the white pieces in both ends of the cable. They do sell replacement bushings for them, but they can be hard to find. Most just snap into the cable ends.

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