Emercengy help - tranny stuck in Park!
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dubuque, IA
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Emercengy help - tranny stuck in Park!
I need some help quick guys. My 89 truck is stuck in Park position and I cannot get it to shift out. I just drove it for work about 2 hours ago no problems, parked it, and just now went back out to it. It starts up, but I can't move the shifter out of Park. Is there anything I can check quick that might be the problem?
Thanks.
Bryan
Thanks.
Bryan
#2
Contributing Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Duvall, WA
Posts: 5,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check for obvious obstructions of the linkage. Then see if it makes any difference if you are standing on the brake. Then take off the ebrake and "bounce" it by rocking it forward and back against "Park".
If all else fails, use the release mounted near the shifter to pop it out of park.
If all else fails, use the release mounted near the shifter to pop it out of park.
#3
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dubuque, IA
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got it home using the Shift Lock Override button. I noticed a few things though:
1) Brake Lights aren't working.
2) Steering wheel doesn't lock when in park.
3) I am not able to shift into Neutral w/key in Accs position.
My parking brake has been disconnected for a long time so I don't think that is the issue.
I'm thinking there's some safety solinoid or something causing the problem?
1) Brake Lights aren't working.
2) Steering wheel doesn't lock when in park.
3) I am not able to shift into Neutral w/key in Accs position.
My parking brake has been disconnected for a long time so I don't think that is the issue.
I'm thinking there's some safety solinoid or something causing the problem?
#4
Contributing Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know if this is relevant but a few years ago I was helping a friend with a car problem (car belonged to roommate). The car would shift out of park erratically. We finally realized that when you first stepped on the brake pedal the brake lights would activate but shut off as soon as you applied downward pressure. During that time of activation was the only time that the shifter would move out of park. Turns out that the safety feature wasn't relying on whether or not the brakes were applied but whether or not the brake lights were on.
This car was a Ford though, I'm not sure if it'll help but possibly something to consider?
This car was a Ford though, I'm not sure if it'll help but possibly something to consider?
#5
Contributing Member
Originally Posted by bryanr
I got it home using the Shift Lock Override button. I noticed a few things though:
1) Brake Lights aren't working.
2) Steering wheel doesn't lock when in park.
3) I am not able to shift into Neutral w/key in Accs position.
My parking brake has been disconnected for a long time so I don't think that is the issue.
I'm thinking there's some safety solinoid or something causing the problem?
1) Brake Lights aren't working.
2) Steering wheel doesn't lock when in park.
3) I am not able to shift into Neutral w/key in Accs position.
My parking brake has been disconnected for a long time so I don't think that is the issue.
I'm thinking there's some safety solinoid or something causing the problem?
#6
Contributing Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: The Lone Star State
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your brake light fuse is blown. I have a post about this exact same thing that happened to me after unhooking a trailer. The fuse in down by your driver's side kick panel. It's a 15 amp fuse.
How's that for diagnosis?
How's that for diagnosis?
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dubuque, IA
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by AgRunner06
Your brake light fuse is blown. I have a post about this exact same thing that happened to me after unhooking a trailer. The fuse in down by your driver's side kick panel. It's a 15 amp fuse.
How's that for diagnosis?
How's that for diagnosis?
I am beginning to think it's the solenoid. Any idea how much that part is or how easy to replace it is? Dealer only item?
Last edited by bryanr; 07-25-2005 at 10:28 AM.
Trending Topics
#8
Contributing Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, from the sounds of it - looks like the problem to find now is why the brake lights aren't functioning. If everyone here is correct then you probably don't need to worry about the shifting difficulty.
#9
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dubuque, IA
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since the fuses aren't blown, a wiring shorting out is probably out of the question. I guess when I get home it's time to see if the brake wires are getting power.
Any other ideas on things to check?
Any other ideas on things to check?
#11
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also check to make sure the brake light switch - which activates the brake lights - is working & connected. A failed or disconnected switch will cause the brake lights not to work and give you these problems.
#12
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dubuque, IA
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Steveh29
Also check to make sure the brake light switch - which activates the brake lights - is working & connected. A failed or disconnected switch will cause the brake lights not to work and give you these problems.
#13
Don't know if this applies to ya or not...but check this out. this is the electronics end of the tranny...http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...34electron.pdf
and I don't know if thats your tranny or not...so here is the list of them...http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...autotrans.html
I'm thinking stop light switch?
and I don't know if thats your tranny or not...so here is the list of them...http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...autotrans.html
I'm thinking stop light switch?
#15
Originally Posted by waskillywabbit
blown brake light fuse thus when you mash the brake you get no signal to let the tranny shift out of park, replace the fuse
Plain and simple...
#17
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dubuque, IA
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by waskillywabbit
blown brake light fuse thus when you mash the brake you get no signal to let the tranny shift out of park, replace the fuse
It's not the fuse, I checked it multiple times.
Oddly enough, when I got it home I went inside for a few hours since it was too hot to work outside. When I went out a few hours later, it shifted right out of park. I tested it a few times and it had no problems. My brake lights were working once again as well. Even this morning it is acting like nothing happened.
That completely rules it out being a fuse or a short. I wonder if something got really wet in the heavy rain we've had recently that caused this to happen.
#19
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dubuque, IA
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by callmej75
sounds like a loose connection...I would check that stop light switch and take the plug off and see if its wet inside or loose.
#20
Originally Posted by bryanr
Thanks, I bought a Haynes manual last night so at least I know roughly where to look for this now