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I have a 08 with 55K miles on it . It's been getting stuck in park occasionally over the last few weeks. When I push the shifter forward and squeeze the trigger it unlocks every time. My question is , is this a normal thing for 08s or is it just luck that it unlocks, so far. If anyone has experienced this , I would appreciate your input. THANKS
I have a 08 with 55K miles on it . It's been getting stuck in park occasionally over the last few weeks. When I push the shifter forward and squeeze the trigger it unlocks every time. My question is , is this a normal thing for 08s or is it just luck that it unlocks, so far. If anyone has experienced this , I would appreciate your input. THANKS
Do a forum search, "Shifter stuck in park". Lots of results.
Eventually you will not be able to get it to unlock. There is a shifter pawl inside the console that needs to be modified. After reading the search results you will be an expert on the subject!
Mine was doing that off and on and knew it was a matter of time, yesterday morning stuck and wouldn't come out. So last night took off the console and went to work. no issues anymore
[QUOTE=red430;............. When I push the shifter forward and squeeze the trigger it unlocks every time. My question is , is this a normal thing for 08s or is it just luck that it unlocks...........[/QUOTE]
Short answer is yes, even with a new A6 shifter, regardless of year.
Last edited by Knob Jockey; 06-11-2017 at 08:14 PM.
There is also a fix that doesn't break/permanently disable the parking pawl. Especially helpful for those that understand that this could possibly be a danger.
Instead of breaking or permanently tying back the locking pawl, you can do the same "drill through it and tie it back," but instead drill a hole through the center console with a tether and loop, so when it isn't behaving you can just pull it physically.
Question: How long does it take from first noticed till it becomes permanent? Mine has been doing this for about 2 years and 20K miles now. Most of the time it works fine but occasionally it hangs so that I have to push slightly forward. And testing indicates it is more likely dirt because after repeatedly exercising the solenoid I can even pull back and it still clicks. I just don't want to waste the time pulling the console if it is a minor annoyance.
Mine took about 35,000 miles from the first time it stuck until when it became often enough that I had no choice but to modify it. I was lucky in that mine didn't start sticking until I already had 200,000 miles on the car.
From everything people have posted about, it is progressive and will get worse, and my experience agrees.
There are quite a few threads with pictures of the process, and really isn't difficult at all to do. It even gave me the opportunity to paint the radio/Air conditioning surround to match the car.
The Carfax for my 06 shows the shifter assembly was replaced a month before I got the car. Were any changes made to the newer shifter assembly units to prevent this issue or could it happen again?
Question: How long does it take from first noticed till it becomes permanent? Mine has been doing this for about 2 years and 20K miles now. Most of the time it works fine but occasionally it hangs so that I have to push slightly forward. And testing indicates it is more likely dirt because after repeatedly exercising the solenoid I can even pull back and it still clicks. I just don't want to waste the time pulling the console if it is a minor annoyance.
I guess its like everything else along these lines. It's just a minor annoyance until it bites you in the A$$ permanently. I did like you and just "fiddled" with it for about a year and kept getting lucky with it eventually coming free. But logic dictates that it's only gonna get worse and then sooner or later you get stuck. My fear was having the thing go for good while waiting in a drive through or some real inconvenient spot . So I fixed it and now all I have to worry about is the darn shift cable dilemma leaving me stranded somewhere......Thanks GM.....
I put a post on here with photos a while back showing how to use fishing line and tie it to a key chain holder so you can manually override it by lifting the console lid and pulling on it similar to the photos shown in the post above. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...od-for-a6.html
However, I'm a bit perplexed about where the actual microswitch is that controls this. I'd like to locate the switch and fix it so I don't have to do this. Last time I took the console apart, I found two separate microswitches that engage when the lever is in park, but when activating them both, I still had the issue of it not always releasing. When I check the service manual, it only shows one switch associated with the lockout mechanism, so now I'm thinking maybe there is a third switch I overlooked. I'll try to take it apart again when I have time, and if I can find the switch that is responsible for it failing, I'll take photos of it and see if I can find a way to resolve it.
I always push the shifter forward to release that tension prior to squeezing the trigger to move it. It has never failed when doing that. I personally believe it is when people fight this tension to move the shifter that things break. Just a quirk of Auto C6 shifters, along with some other GM cars I have driven.
I always push the shifter forward to release that tension prior to squeezing the trigger to move it. It has never failed when doing that. I personally believe it is when people fight this tension to move the shifter that things break. Just a quirk of Auto C6 shifters, along with some other GM cars I have driven.
I used to think this was the problem too until I took it apart and examined what was happening. The problem appears to be a micro-switch is not being "made" until you push slightly forward on the shift lever. Pressure on the lock mechanism is not the problem, it is an electrical issue. The shift lock control solenoid doesn't get a ground until the park switch is closed.
Even if you hear it clicking with the brake pedal? I can get mine out of Park no matter what with the foot on the brakes, it is just stiffer unless I push forward on it. With foot off the brakes, it won't go no matter what. I would assume that solenoid is working on mine.
The problem many folks are having is that that solenoid doesn't release when they apply the brakes, so the car can't be shifted out of park, regardless of applying the brakes.
In many cases, pushing and holding the shifter as far forward as it will go will allow the shift lock control solenoid to release when you apply the brakes.
My hunch is that the park microswitch is not being "made' or closed until the shifter is forced forward which means the shift lock control solenoid doesn't have a ground. It doesn't happen on all cars, but the problem seems to be getting more and more common, so I suspect there is a component wear issue coming into play.
If your shift lock control solenoid is activating properly, you should be able to hear it click when the car is in park and you apply the brakes. In this case, yours is working fine. The ones who have problems won't hear a click.
You're the man!!! I am humbled by your persistence in solving this issue. I was wrong. It is not dirt. If is a simple alignment issue. I should have realized this because I knew the click could be heard both by pushing forward and ALSO by pulling back to deenergize the solenoid. Dirt wouldn't do that. But your experimentation and solution fits all the symptoms.
You're the man!!! I am humbled by your persistence in solving this issue. I was wrong. It is not dirt. If is a simple alignment issue. I should have realized this because I knew the click could be heard both by pushing forward and ALSO by pulling back to deenergize the solenoid. Dirt wouldn't do that. But your experimentation and solution fits all the symptoms.
You should revisit that thread, there is more information posted. It is more than just an alignment or adjustment issue. The micro switches go bad and will not "close" even when they hit the appropriate "click" position. The switches are cheap and wear out. GM should have invested more than $1.50 on those microswitches!
I replaced mine and it works like new now, no more "push forward" to get it out of park.
06-09-2017, 07:38 PM
Question about Stuck in Park
