Automatic Shifter Lock Up?
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: shawnee kansas
And after the recall work I had done at the dealer, they asked me to review their work. My review stated they did a great job. And I took the opportunity to mention their recommendation to replace the Shifter Assembly because "you're going to get stuck somewhere". Upon completion of the review, I was prompted to upload the review to a number of other sites, which I did as well.
Can't hurt.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 181
From: Menifee (I.E.) CA
I can't wrap my head around someone replacing something that doesn't work with the same thing...knowing that it will probably happen again???
If you follow this "STICKY"...you will be okay!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...k-finally.html
If you follow this "STICKY"...you will be okay!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...k-finally.html
Last edited by ufso; Aug 27, 2016 at 05:45 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: shawnee kansas
Also, most Corvette owners are told by their dealer that their shifter assembly has failed so they have it replaced like they would worn brake pads.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 181
From: Menifee (I.E.) CA
AlI I know is I will never have to worry about my shifter sticking again...not because some asshat at a Chevy stealership says I should buy another replacement!!! 
Here on this forum you have real people telling everyone what will work...no bullshit involved!!!
Here on this forum you have real people telling everyone what will work...no bullshit involved!!!
Last edited by ufso; Aug 27, 2016 at 06:06 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: shawnee kansas
I'd still like to know what actually changes. Mine worked for a little over 7 years before the first time I noticed the problem. Albeit, that was only after about 19,500 miles or so.
After reading all the threads on this forum, I am just "watching" mine to get a better understanding of when it locks up. It seems that when it does, I can push forward on the gearshift lever to unlock it. That makes me wonder whether the microswitch / sensor has moved slightly or perhaps the lever for it has bent.... ?? I haven't been stuck anywhere *yet*, so I can afford to mess with it some more.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 526
Yep.
I'd still like to know what actually changes. Mine worked for a little over 7 years before the first time I noticed the problem. Albeit, that was only after about 19,500 miles or so.
After reading all the threads on this forum, I am just "watching" mine to get a better understanding of when it locks up. It seems that when it does, I can push forward on the gearshift lever to unlock it. That makes me wonder whether the microswitch / sensor has moved slightly or perhaps the lever for it has bent.... ?? I haven't been stuck anywhere *yet*, so I can afford to mess with it some more.
I'd still like to know what actually changes. Mine worked for a little over 7 years before the first time I noticed the problem. Albeit, that was only after about 19,500 miles or so.
After reading all the threads on this forum, I am just "watching" mine to get a better understanding of when it locks up. It seems that when it does, I can push forward on the gearshift lever to unlock it. That makes me wonder whether the microswitch / sensor has moved slightly or perhaps the lever for it has bent.... ?? I haven't been stuck anywhere *yet*, so I can afford to mess with it some more.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 66
From: Orlando Florida
The consensus on this forum seems to be that the solenoid is the culprit. How accurate this is is of course opinion orientated, but it seems to have some merit. Regardless....all the so called self fixes posted in this forum on how to get it out of park (wiggle this....shake that....etc...etc) will only work for a certain amount of attempts. Sooner or later one will get stuck out somewhere. Tie the pawl back and be done with it, or just keep replacing the shifter with a new GM unit and wait for it to fail again....
Yeah, what he said.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,142
Likes: 1,913
From: Missouri City, TX
permanently fixed mine as well 10 months ago.
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 31
Likes: 6
Had the same issue
It's a well documented issue with the C6 Auto shifter.
The reason it locks up, is that after you push the start button, it takes a few seconds to get the electrical signal to Transmission shift control solenoid that unlocks the shifter pawl to allow the shifter to move from Park. If you try to shift out of Park too fast, you can't.
This PDF explains it all, with the permanent fix.
The reason it locks up, is that after you push the start button, it takes a few seconds to get the electrical signal to Transmission shift control solenoid that unlocks the shifter pawl to allow the shifter to move from Park. If you try to shift out of Park too fast, you can't.
This PDF explains it all, with the permanent fix.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,232
Likes: 4,357
From: Chirper Island
I was fortunate, mine didn't start acting up until 200,000 miles.
I tethered mine so that when it doesn't work (rarely even now), I can open up the center console and pull it so it releases.
Best of all work-arounds, because there is no permanent fix.
I tethered mine so that when it doesn't work (rarely even now), I can open up the center console and pull it so it releases.
Best of all work-arounds, because there is no permanent fix.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Same to me shifter assembly for 08
Same happened to me but first time the car got stuck in R. That sucked. Flatbed the whole 9 yards. Chevy wanted about 1200. Brought it to friend he replaced what needed to be and that was it. A few weeks later shifter gets stuck between D and N. Had to have the entire shift assembly replaced. Now shifter works fine but computer is still reading like it not in Park and acc. Light is on and battery dies. When first getting in car dashboard computer says. “ Shift to park” car is park and will start but computer not recognizing. Any one HELP please
QUOTE=cheakster;1591535680]I just went through this last week. My '06 C6 A6 got harder and harder to get out of PARK. Then, suddenly, after getting it out of PARK and moving it into the driveway, it would not come out of DRIVE/NEUTRAL... and therefore wouldn't allow ACCESSORY to shut off. I had to chock the wheels and remove the battery cable overnight! Forget the hints to "wait long enough for the current to reach the shifter release". This problem will worsen until you eventually get stuck somewhere needing a flatbed tow$$$!!! I called Chevy and was quoted $1250! Do yourself a favor, find the excellent posts on this forum, spend a couple hours and cut the frigging latch off (or tie it back). You will never have to worry about it again![/QUOTE]
QUOTE=cheakster;1591535680]I just went through this last week. My '06 C6 A6 got harder and harder to get out of PARK. Then, suddenly, after getting it out of PARK and moving it into the driveway, it would not come out of DRIVE/NEUTRAL... and therefore wouldn't allow ACCESSORY to shut off. I had to chock the wheels and remove the battery cable overnight! Forget the hints to "wait long enough for the current to reach the shifter release". This problem will worsen until you eventually get stuck somewhere needing a flatbed tow$$$!!! I called Chevy and was quoted $1250! Do yourself a favor, find the excellent posts on this forum, spend a couple hours and cut the frigging latch off (or tie it back). You will never have to worry about it again!
[/QUOTE]
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 124
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, CA
If you cut the tab off it so that it can be switched with key off are there any negative security implications? The only way it would seem is if someone was trying to steal it by towing it, dont think shifting would help a normal thief if they have to get past the ignition chip issue right?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 124
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, CA
Thanks, functionally cutting it looks fine like you said - I'm just trying to think if there is some security scenario where it would be of any help? Can't really see it when it takes a chip to start the car though.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 31
Likes: 6
There has to be a fob in the car, so I’m not concerned. It is more to keep you from shifting gears when you should not. BUT, can prevent you from shifting gears AT ALL.
My only concern was, could I bump this into R when going 50. Needless to say, I have not tried that. :-)
Still pleased with my decision 2 years later. NO ill affects for me.
My only concern was, could I bump this into R when going 50. Needless to say, I have not tried that. :-)
Still pleased with my decision 2 years later. NO ill affects for me.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 124
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, CA
There has to be a fob in the car, so I’m not concerned. It is more to keep you from shifting gears when you should not. BUT, can prevent you from shifting gears AT ALL.
My only concern was, could I bump this into R when going 50. Needless to say, I have not tried that. :-)
Still pleased with my decision 2 years later. NO ill affects for me.
My only concern was, could I bump this into R when going 50. Needless to say, I have not tried that. :-)
Still pleased with my decision 2 years later. NO ill affects for me.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 31
Likes: 6
So, I’ve had to go in there a couple of times. The hardest part are the releases on the connectors with limited space. It was a good thing I had gone in there twice before (once for the BT radio connector and next to cut the pawl). The shifter cable broke while I had my car halfway out of the garage 30 mins before leaving for my honeymoon. I had to reach in there and shift the cable.
A thought, but you might want to replace that cable fitting while in there. I’m not sure how common it is. I’m at about 80K on the odo.
(I damaged my red indicator, but it doesn’t bother me)
clean video on removing the console
Here is the bushing. You can get it cheaper elsewhere. I did appreciate the guide to help snap it in place (tight quarter).
https://www.bushingfix.com/chevrolet...ng-repair-kit/
Let me know if you have any questions.
A thought, but you might want to replace that cable fitting while in there. I’m not sure how common it is. I’m at about 80K on the odo.
(I damaged my red indicator, but it doesn’t bother me)
clean video on removing the console
Here is the bushing. You can get it cheaper elsewhere. I did appreciate the guide to help snap it in place (tight quarter).
https://www.bushingfix.com/chevrolet...ng-repair-kit/
Let me know if you have any questions.
Last edited by STRIB; Oct 16, 2019 at 05:47 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,772
Likes: 343
From: SIOUX FALLS SD
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
I know this is a super old thread however I had my shifter lock up a couple times. I have a long trip coming up and thought I would fix it according to the red 2005 C6 tube video. I didn't have any problems other than the traction control button wires and the rear cigarette accessory lighter were difficult to remove. I put it all together and everything worked great. I didn't have to remove the leather around the shift indicator and just worked around it. I was lucky and the orange shifter indicator didn't get broken either. I am not a mechanic and took my time and it took me 3 hours. The worst part was getting a those connectors loose. In the video it states to put a needle nose pliers on a couple of them however your need to pry up on the connector for the rear cigarette accessory connection. There is not a lot of room to work there but I got it completed for a total of $0.00 and some blood sweat and tears. Now I don't have to worry about lock up after cutting the plastic piece that locks it in park. My car is a 2005 Corvette with 75,000 miles bought new. Other than the harmonic balancer replacement and a couple recalls this is about all I have done with this car as far as having problems.