My '98 Saturn sometimes won't shift out of park. The shift lever will not move even with the button pushed. Eventually it will suddenly move easily. What could be the issue?
- posted
15 years ago
1998 Saturn won't shift out of park
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- posted
15 years ago
Most of the automatic transmissions have an solenoid activated pawl that keeps the shifter locked in park unless two conditions are satisfied:
1) Foot is on the brake. 2) shifter release button is pressed.If the brake lights are not working properly, this is the first thing to check. With foot on brake and pushing the release button, you should hear a click of the solenoid activating and withdrawing the locking pawl. When the shifter eventually does move, is it smooth (ie is it a shift linkage issue)?
Check the owner's manual. There is usually a section on emergency bypass of the shift lock. I don't recommend this as a fix but only as part of diagnosing the root cause.