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Okay, so for the past week or two, I've been needing to use my shift lock release to get my transmission out of park. Anyone know if there is an easy fix for this? I'm bringing my car to the dealership next week anyway to get the timing belt replaced, but if I don't have to spend the extra money on this, I don't want to.
Huh? You mean you have to push the button on the shifter? I thought you had to do that all the time to get out of P.
To get it out of park, you have to push down on the shifter. I know that. I've had the thing since May. There is also a little slot forward and to the left of the shifter called the "shift lock release". Lately, I've been having to use this to get my car out of park. It's quite a pain.
That button just holds the current gear, you shouldn't have to press it at all. If it's depressed, press it again and leave it alone. Otherwise its a tranny problem and they have a multitude of parts in comparison to a manual. Take it to the dealer if under warrenty.
I wasn't talking about the "hold" button. If mtlswift was, then I misread his post. Either way, the "hold" button is not the problem. I'm outside of the factory warranty, but still within my 100,000mi extended warranty.
Then it's a powertrain issue that is under warranty. Take it in.
So many dumb people out there. the guy is talking about the shifter release when you press the brake pedal it unlocks the Parking gear so you can shift it into a gear. Shame I don;t even have the automatic and I still knew what he was talking about. Check your switch on the brake pedal I bet it's bad, or the solenoid on the shifter housing is bad.
I didn't even think about the brake switch. Great suggestion. I'm bringing it in to get the timing belt replaced anyway, but I'll tell them to look at that before they go messing with the transmission. Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian5475E
i had this exact same problem about a month ago. its a broken linkage in the shifter. the dealership will repair it no problem. they say theyve had the same problem with some of the cobalts because the linkage is a plastic piece subject to breaking, locking up your shifter unless you use the shift unlock thing. they put a steel linkage piece. this is just what they told me, whether or not it makes sense.
we had the same issue with a honda accord, the shift lock solinoid is right under the realease. if you take off the panel you will see it. most of the time this will go bad before the one under the brake. and there ****ing expensive. at least they are for a honda. anyways for the honda i just ended up taking it out, so i could still use the shifter with no brake :) i dont think it is the safeist idea, but hey we dident have the money at the time.
I had them fix it when I took it in to get the timing belt replaced. I'm pretty sure they replaced the whole shifter mechanism because there's a new shift knob and I can't figure how how to take this one off and put the metal one I bought back on :evil:
how much did it cost you, mines gone now as well and the brake lights arent working because of it.
The shifter was covered by my warranty. I had to pay labor obviously, and the deductible on my warranty, but everything past that was covered. I can go look for the receipt and check the actual cost (not what I ended up paying) if you want.
This just happened to me (2004 LS still under warranty) and the dealership said its a bad solenoid that controls the shift lock. Just have to use the shift lock release until the shop appointment. It appears to be a fairly common problem. Instructions for using the bypass are in the owner's manual if you have one.
I drove my 2005 Aveo off the showroom floor 2 years ago. I have really had no problems to speak of... until this past june. As soon as the heat rose... the shift lock stuck. Sometimes it does it... sometimes not. It's a crap shoot as to whether I need 2 people to get it out of park or not. (Kind of hard to depress the break.... push the shifter down to shift AND stick a damn key in the tiny hole to release the bugger. Took it to the shop... you guessed it.. "Could not duplicate the problem" SO I have decided the tech can meet me in the drop off area at my next appt and I KNOW it will do it out there.... I will let you all know the results... But I do LOVE my aveo... (she's a little tough to handle on the snow.. not enough weight behind the tires... but other than that -- She's PERFECT!! :D
My 05 Aveo5 LT is having this issue, I'll have them look at it when I take it in for the next oil change. I miss being able to change my own oil.
Ryan
Sorry to dig up an old thread but I believe I have the same problem reported in this thread. I cannot get out of park and my brake lights are non-functional. Can someone from this thread comeback and enlighten me on the problem? Was it the brake switch or the shift lock solenoid? How much were you charged? I've misplaced my manual, you just have to stick a key in that shift lock release slot to disengage the shift lock?
Any help would be greatly apprciated.
JustAGuy
I haven't experienced the problem (I have the 5spd), but I believe the problem was indeed the bake switch. No idea about parts/labor, though.
Yep, it's the brake light switch; $9.99 at Pep Boys. Unplug the pigtail from the old one, quarter twist counter-clockwise, pop in the new one and plug it in. Now I have brake lights and can shift out of Park without sticking the key in the slot. Three minutes, tops. If I can do it, anyone can. Move the seat all the way back, recline it as far as it will go, and tilt the steering all the way up. Slide in upside down under the dash. Take a flashlight. I have no idea what the Chevy dealer would charge, but when you consider they wanted $167 to replace the serpentine belt, you can guess.