Autimatic HELP!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 299
Likes: 15
Autimatic HELP!!
I have a1997 c5 automatic. I took to shop to get trans rebuilt, i blew second gear. and I drove it home just fine on friday. now I went to take it out and it will not come out of park. I believe the release button on the top of the shifter is not disengaging.
things I tried
turning wheel when car is started
rocking car back and forth
thanks guys for any help
things I tried
turning wheel when car is started
rocking car back and forth
thanks guys for any help
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
AMEN! The solenoid is shot. I took my out. Never bothered to replace it. WHY!!! All it does is alow you take it out of PARK "when" you step on the brake. Even without the solenoid you still need to depress the shifter button to remove the shifter from park. I don't need TWO safety features.
CAUTION! When working on the shifter be careful not to break the shifter indicator or its light socket. Irriplaceable. However, it you can, carefully remove the light socket and replace the light bulb with an LED. Brighter and less heat.
CAUTION! When working on the shifter be careful not to break the shifter indicator or its light socket. Irriplaceable. However, it you can, carefully remove the light socket and replace the light bulb with an LED. Brighter and less heat.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,541
Likes: 24,831
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Kept this info just in case it ever happens to me. Thanks. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
I was going to remove it but after disconnecting the electrical lead not necessary
AMEN! The solenoid is shot. I took my out. Never bothered to replace it. WHY!!! All it does is alow you take it out of PARK "when" you step on the brake. Even without the solenoid you still need to depress the shifter button to remove the shifter from park. I don't need TWO safety features.
CAUTION! When working on the shifter be careful not to break the shifter indicator or its light socket. Irriplaceable. However, it you can, carefully remove the light socket and replace the light bulb with an LED. Brighter and less heat.
CAUTION! When working on the shifter be careful not to break the shifter indicator or its light socket. Irriplaceable. However, it you can, carefully remove the light socket and replace the light bulb with an LED. Brighter and less heat.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
Saw what a fun job pulling the solenoid out and wondered if things might get sloppy in there so I disconnected the wire and found that the solenoid did not bother the shift lever at all. Make sure you don't remove the ignition key interlock to force you to have ignition off before removing the key.
Two other secnarios may also be the culpit: The button release is broken (?) or the shifter cable (from the sfifter to the transaxle) is broken. I had that happen to me. My good fortune, the tranny was in nuetral.
Good luck!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
I simply used needle nose pliers as I remember to slip off the connector
Disconnecting the wire is tricky without removing the solenoid, but not impossible. I am confused with your next comment. You say, "... it did not bother the shift lever at all." Do you mean the lever is still stuck in Park? I am no expert by any means, but is it possible the solenoid is "stuck" in the lock position? I say try removing the solenoid if that is the case.
Two other secnarios may also be the culpit: The button release is broken (?) or the shifter cable (from the sfifter to the transaxle) is broken. I had that happen to me. My good fortune, the tranny was in nuetral.
Good luck!
Two other secnarios may also be the culpit: The button release is broken (?) or the shifter cable (from the sfifter to the transaxle) is broken. I had that happen to me. My good fortune, the tranny was in nuetral.
Good luck!