tudac3-5-6

Has anyone had a problem of your automatic trans. shifter lock up after you just started the engine and can not get it in gear?

If so, what caused the problem and how was it fixed?

Thanks!

myredhead1

Happens to me every now and then. I usually just try it a few more times until it engages. My C4 and C5 did the same thing.

tudac3-5-6

Same here! I hope someone can tell us what cause it and how to fix it!

Thanks!

4SUMERZ

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.

_05C6_

Totally off topic, LV2TOUR do you know the ***** in your avitar?

Gman in NC

It has been an issue for awhile. Do some searching, especially on YouTube to see the fix. There are several choices. Mine did it about three years ago. I went into the shifter, cut the end off of the nylon 'dog' and haven't had a problem since. Very bad design with no available replacement parts.

4SUMERZ

PM sent with more photos. J/K

tudac3-5-6

Thanks a bunch!!

cheakster

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!

Wildmanht

As others pointed out, it is a known issue with the solenoid. I did the work around but broke off the shift indicator last year when I tried. I decided to just replace it. It was about $500 at my dealership I took it to.

ottomatic

The method that LV2TOUR uses works like a charm. On my 2007 convertible with automatic transmission, my shifter was stuck in Neutral & Drive. Shifting too fast could have caused the issues but, apparently the solenoid was faulty. I downloaded the PDF and also LV2TOUR's PDF for console removal. He gave me encourage along the way. His repair works.

Thanks for guiding me through this difficult procedure.

Very grateful for your help, Ottomatic

4SUMERZ

YW. I'm happy to hear that it helped you fix the issue.

GOLD72

Amazing how many of these threads start each week. Balky Park lock position solenoids and split shift cable grommets. Expensive repairs if taken to a dealer with replacement components just a faulty as OEM.

ottomatic

This is true. It is a labor intensive job with lots of opportunities for little plastic tabs to break. The removal of small wiring harnesses in the console are very difficult, especially the rear cigarette lighter harness. The console has to be removed before you even attack the shifter issue. I'm sure the GM tech wouldn't take the care that I did. If he had never done the job before then, it would be a long process.

And, another costly repair is the little comb repair for the active handling issues of the telescopic steering wheel harness. The entire steering column must be dropped to fix this issue.

Don-Vette

Can I get a link on how to remove console to get at shifter linkage please? for future reference just in case.

EVRose

This one started almost 6 months ago.

GOLD72

Oops! You are right. Just seemed like a new thread to me.

ottomatic

If you have the stuck in Park or Neutral/Drive issue you will find this thread.

Go to the #4 post from LV2TOUR and go to his link. If you PM him he will send the link to the console removal. He was very helpful and encouraging.

FrankPC

I would like to know what causes this problem. At the dealership today, I was told the solenoid was bad so the shifter needed to be replaced. In my case the problem is intermittent. A "bad" solenoid is most likely one that has turns shorted or has no continuity. Rarely would it be intermittent.

Seems as though this problem would more likely be a misadjusted sensor switch or a cable that has stretched -- something like that ??

Is the actual cause of the problem understood?

4SUMERZ

Yes,
according to the GM technical services, this is why it happens.

Pre-Amble – WHY IT HAPPENS:
C6 2005-2013 -Automatic Transmission - Stuck in Neutral or Drive or won’t shift out of Park.
This affects all 2005, 2006 and 2007 models equipped with an automatic transmission, up to VIN 75105780. It may also affect later models as well.
Quick shifting from PARK to DRIVE after starting the vehicle can bind the shift lock control. This happens because the ECM requires at least a few seconds to release the Transmission Shift Control Solenoid before the driver should move the shift lever.
Prior to the introduction of Keyless Access, the driver turned the ignition key and then moved to the shift lever – this gave the ECM enough time to send and receive signals. With Easy Key, if the driver presses the START button and then immediately shifts the transmission shift lever, it is possible to beat the shift lock control signal to the ECM.
Cam Lock Normal Condition - Cam Lock releases properly if enough lag time for the ECM to energize the solenoid, thus releasing the Park pawl.
When this quick shifting occurs – the Cam Lock may not release – which makes the shifter very hard to move, and possibly moving without actually shifting gears. If the shift lever is placed into gear prior to the Shift Lock Control Solenoid deactivating the park pawl, the shift assembly can become jammed leaving the vehicle stuck in neutral.
An updated shifter assembly with improved tolerances will begin showing up on vehicles starting with VIN number 75405780. This revised shift assembly will have the same part number as the current shifter assembly.
The new shifters were supposed to fix the issue, but the new shifters are still locking up.

Most owners decided to tie back the park pawl.