1995 Auto trans shifter release button not working
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 3
From: Virginia Beach VA
1995 Auto trans shifter release button not working
Need advice, the shifter button on my 1995 auto LT1 won't go down to release the trans out of park. It has been sitting a while when I had the heads off to replace the head gaskets. I was starting to have this problem the last time I drove it but I was always able to release it in a minute or two. During the cold weather it seemed to be more of a problem than during warm weather. Now the button does not want to push down to release at all. I think it may be a cable/linkage adjustment problem, but not sure how to make the adjustment Does it adjust under the car at the trans, or under the console at the shifter? Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Brake interlock solenoid under the shifter console is malfunctioning. Seems cold weather makes the ones about to fail go ahead and die.
It is drivers side rear in the 'shifter cavity', has one wire and both ends just pop off. Take it off, throw it away. All safety functions will work normally except you do not have to depress the brake pedal to shift out of park.
It is drivers side rear in the 'shifter cavity', has one wire and both ends just pop off. Take it off, throw it away. All safety functions will work normally except you do not have to depress the brake pedal to shift out of park.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 3
From: Virginia Beach VA
Brake Interlock Solenoid
AMINNICH, Thanks for the info on the B.I.S. I plan on removing it tomorrow afternoon. It has been annoying for sometime, and now it won't move at all. Thanks again!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Glad I could help. I see this problem about once a month on here. By the way the solenoid have been discontinued--no longer available from what another member told me. Silly GM idea to start with IMHO.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Lexington NC
Arg. I can't get the two 7mm bolts out of the cupholder!! and I popped the spring off the shifter and now it only manually goes up and these purple and white lines... can i just cut them to pybass it or do i need to dig in and get the solenoid out. Wow, i tought it wouldbe a 10 min job. what a noob!!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Another possibility (and the one that was my actual problem) is that the shift cable is hosed. This requires replacement with a new shift cable which is not so expensive, and is somewhat easy until you get to the flange beneath the console (at least on a '95), at which point it becomes the biotch from hell, super-mongo pain in the ****, as it requires a massive dismantling of the interior (in other words, it's a typical C4 project).
But anyway, the new cable fixed me right up--no worries since.
But anyway, the new cable fixed me right up--no worries since.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
I know this is an old thread but thought I'd say a few words for anyone with an older (87) Vette with the same kind of problems.
Mine started to be a PITA to push the button in to get out of park. Finally (really cold weather if that has anything to do with it) not only would the button not depress, the ignition (with key) would be hard to turn and then quit, leaving the key inside the ignition (engine would turn off but not turn enough to release the key).
Got it to my favorite place to work on my Vette and they knew that there's a cable between the ignition and the shifter that was hosed. The cable from the ignition releases sme sort of lock on the shifter. That particular part is not sold anymore so they rebuilt the cable somehow and all if fine.
Afterwards I was told that I could have just had them take off the whole cable and not use anything to stop the button on the shifter to depress.
Mine started to be a PITA to push the button in to get out of park. Finally (really cold weather if that has anything to do with it) not only would the button not depress, the ignition (with key) would be hard to turn and then quit, leaving the key inside the ignition (engine would turn off but not turn enough to release the key).
Got it to my favorite place to work on my Vette and they knew that there's a cable between the ignition and the shifter that was hosed. The cable from the ignition releases sme sort of lock on the shifter. That particular part is not sold anymore so they rebuilt the cable somehow and all if fine.
Afterwards I was told that I could have just had them take off the whole cable and not use anything to stop the button on the shifter to depress.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 109
From: Longmont Co
Arg. I can't get the two 7mm bolts out of the cupholder!! and I popped the spring off the shifter and now it only manually goes up and these purple and white lines... can i just cut them to pybass it or do i need to dig in and get the solenoid out. Wow, i tought it wouldbe a 10 min job. what a noob!!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 109
From: Longmont Co
To be fair, all car companies use this "safety" feature on all newer auto vehicles. Same theory as the "won't turn over unless the clutch is in" switch on manuals I guess.
1st Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Manassas VA
1995 auto trans shift indicator disengaged
I realize that I'm replying to an old thread, but here goes.
Today, 5/29/14, I removed the defective Brake Interlock Solenoid from my '95 Vette. Now I won't have to wait for the car to warm up (sometimes for a good 10 minutes) before I can shift out of Park.
Everything is working perfectly, but the shift indicator is no longer working. Before I tear things apart again, doesn't the indicator mate with a pin on the shifter, or was it somehow connected to the B.I.S.?
Today, 5/29/14, I removed the defective Brake Interlock Solenoid from my '95 Vette. Now I won't have to wait for the car to warm up (sometimes for a good 10 minutes) before I can shift out of Park.
Everything is working perfectly, but the shift indicator is no longer working. Before I tear things apart again, doesn't the indicator mate with a pin on the shifter, or was it somehow connected to the B.I.S.?
