Auto shifter manfunction
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 24
From: Willow Springs Ca.
Auto shifter manfunction
The "button" or whatever it is called on the front of the shifter stopped working. Can't push it in. Fortunately I was able to get it to come out of park and into drive. Now all I can do is drive and neutral This shifter was replaced by the dealer about a year ago as the solenoid was getting lazy and I didn't want it to get stuck in park. Will be taking it to the local tranny shop in the morning. Hope it is a simple fix and doesn't require another new shifter. . Has anyone ad this happen?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,338
Likes: 2,437
From: Eastern
Sounds like it's the lock out pawl that isn't releasing, thus the solenoid is weak. When the pawl is locked, and trying to get out of Park, the top shifter button is very hard to push in. That is how mine acted before I decided it was time to tie back the locking pawl in the shifter.
When the dealer replaced the shifter, they just delayed it from happening until the solenoid in this shifter went bad.
It's good $$ for the dealer, but doesn't solve that the solenoid in those will also fail in time.
You have to tie back the locking pawl, or replace the solenoid. If you need the instructions, PM me.
the trans shop will not be able to help you, unless they tie back the locking pawl in the shifter.
When the dealer replaced the shifter, they just delayed it from happening until the solenoid in this shifter went bad.
It's good $$ for the dealer, but doesn't solve that the solenoid in those will also fail in time.
You have to tie back the locking pawl, or replace the solenoid. If you need the instructions, PM me.
the trans shop will not be able to help you, unless they tie back the locking pawl in the shifter.
Last edited by 4SUMERZ; Oct 30, 2019 at 08:01 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,973
Likes: 1,020
From: SOFLA
2016 Corvette of Year
2015 C6 of Year Finalist
Sounds like it's the lock out pawl that isn't releasing, thus the solenoid is weak. When the pawl is locked, and trying to get out of Park, the top shifter button is very hard to push in. That is how mine acted before I decided it was time to tie back the locking pawl in the shifter.
When the dealer replaced the shifter, they just delayed it from happening until the solenoid in this shifter went bad.
It's good $$ for the dealer, but doesn't solve that the solenoid in those will also fail in time.
You have to tie back the locking pawl, or replace the solenoid. If you need the instructions, PM me.
the trans shop will not be able to help you, unless they tie back the locking pawl in the shifter.
When the dealer replaced the shifter, they just delayed it from happening until the solenoid in this shifter went bad.
It's good $$ for the dealer, but doesn't solve that the solenoid in those will also fail in time.
You have to tie back the locking pawl, or replace the solenoid. If you need the instructions, PM me.
the trans shop will not be able to help you, unless they tie back the locking pawl in the shifter.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,338
Likes: 2,437
From: Eastern
The exact same thing that happened to the OP, was the exact same thing that I experienced. The lock out pawl was to blame. Once I tied it back, I've never had that happen again.
I made this PDF after that happened to me.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,973
Likes: 1,020
From: SOFLA
2016 Corvette of Year
2015 C6 of Year Finalist
I don't want to argue, but I know from experience that if the lock out pawl doesn't release properly, and if you can force the shifter out of Park, it will not go past neutral on the way back. Drive and neutral are the only 2 places it will go.
The exact same thing that happened to the OP, was the exact same thing that I experienced. The lock out pawl was to blame. Once I tied it back, I've never had that happen again.
I made this PDF after that happened to me.
The exact same thing that happened to the OP, was the exact same thing that I experienced. The lock out pawl was to blame. Once I tied it back, I've never had that happen again.
I made this PDF after that happened to me.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,595
Likes: 5,590
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
When my cable broke, I pushed the button and moved to reverse, backed out and shifted to drive cable broke, and shifter button was dead, and handle just moved very easy.
Towed to dealership for replacement.
Towed to dealership for replacement.
