So I go to take the car ('98 Coupe) for a drive today and I can't shift it out of park. The brake lights work, so I pull out the owner's manual and follow the instructions for getting it out of Park.

Is there any sort of common problem related to this with these cars? Is is something I should get it into a mechanic for? As I said, I can get it out of Park with the instructions in the manual, but I'm wondering if it's a sign of a pending transmission failure or something.

 

Can you turn the steering wheel?

 

I'm thinking Column Lock myself!

 

 

I doubt it.

There is an interlock switch that prevents the selector from moving out of park if the brake pedal is not pressed. I'll look for information in my service manual.

Edit - manual says it's a faulty shift-lock switch or bad connection to the switch. Console needs to come off to get access to the switch, which is at the front of the shifter. If you're up to that, I can get you more details.

 

The DIC will give a visual statement to put your foot on the
brake before shifting out of park. If you are not seeing that
warning, seems it may be the management system is not
recognizing the brake interlock switch, or the switch itself
has failed.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Good Luck, let us know the results please.

 

 

Are you parked on a hill?
It could simply be "torque lock" (see manual).

 

Definitely not a column lock problem, the steering wheel turns fine.

I didn't see the "press brake to shift" message now that I think about it.

It's not torque lock, the vehicle was sitting on my perfectly flat garage floor.

I'll probably plan on getting it into the shop and having them have a look at it. I'm not terribly mechanically inclined. From the one response it doesn't sound like anything too serious.

 

Feel free to call if this persisits. You have our number. One of the ideosyncratic characteristics of the C5- A4 is the need to press the brake pedal pretty firmly to initialise the system and free the shifter. I presume its sort of 'proof' to the software that a human is in control. When I first got mine, I ran into this once in a while....just barely touching the brake may or may not be enough to set the system. Now I just push the pedal all the way down firm, building up hydralic pressure. It seemso to make the computer happy, and It also reassures me that the brake hydralics are still good before driving off.
So heres how I do it............
Start engine, wait for light show on dash to shut off...
Press brake all the way and hold for a moment & then release......
Move shifter out of park.

I rarley use the hand brake when parking, and there may be some interlock in that too,.....Don't know, but it stands to reason that there might possibly be a switch there that prevents startup if the handbrake cable is internally stuck tight after handle release, sometimes happens in the cold as the grease firms up. There is another ratchet in the tunnel below the handle,... its the one that gets stiff. Anyone know if there is an interlock on that in addition to the 'press brake' interlock??????

Jennifer

 

Craig, i've had a problem in my '98 where the button on the selector lever won't depress very easily in cooler (or in these midwest winter days "all") temps. Is this the trouble your having? If so, here's my workaround. Keep pressing down on the button and shake the lever, it'll come out soon. Then, when parking...I shift to N, turn car off, and shift into P, turn key the key to remove it. For some reason the button never has a problem after that.

 

Never had this with the vette, however my wife did have it to happen to her Park Ave. Found out that when you pressed the brake the switch in there was bad. Seemed to be worst in the winter time. The switch was under the dash on the column somewhere. Maybe this will give you something more to check into.

 

Hey Bob, missed seeing you at some of the cruise ins this fall. Cant wait for spring!!!!

 

Had the similar problem with mine. Seemed the plasticpiece inside the shift **** broke and wouldnt depress all the way. I just replaced the **** and know it works fine.

 

How do you get into the the shifter to this part? I'm dealing with this problem right now.................

thanks
james

www.geocities.com/jammerjamesharmon