Q: Stuck in Park

asked by on February 09, 2016

The gearshift is stuck in park.

Car does not shift from park to drive Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The gear shifter is held in park as a safety feature. If the brake pedal isn’t fully depressed, the lock will not disengage and allow the hear shifter to move. On most gear shifters there are small holes that lead to a manual release which can be pressed with a normal screw driver. If the brake pedal sensor is malfunctioning, the gear shifter lock system won’t see that the pedal is depressed and won’t disengage. A proper inspection of your shifters should be carried out by a technician to get you going again.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What type of gasoline should I use?
Your car’s engine was designed to use gasoline, rather than diesel. However, not all grades of gas are the same. The right type is necessary to prevent knocking and potential engine damage. You should only use 87 octane gas or...
Hearing noise form tires when turning
This is an issue that comes up often on this vehicle. Most of the time it comes up if the vehicle is 4-Wheel Drive. If it is then the problem is typically caused by worn out CV axles. If the...
Brakes wear out fast. 1996 GMC C2500
Hello there. It does sound like your 1996 GMC C2500 has gone through an excessive amount of brake components. There are a few things that can cause premature brake component failure. Sticking calipers (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-caliper-replacement) and wheel cylinders (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-wheel-cylinder-replacement) are the...
No crank no start
I have to agree with you. The reason why is that jiggling symptom you are describing to get radio power. There isn't a whole lot else that can explain that. It sounds like you have power but there is a...
If the CV axle keeps coming out, what does that mean?
Hi, thanks for your question. If the axle has the retainer clip on the end of the inner joint but will not stay in the differential, then the differential may have been damaged from the accident. If you would like...
I replaced the brake light switch. Gear lever unlocked because it had locked. Now the brakes feel hard.
Hi, thanks for writing in. You need to check the brake switch install adjustment. You may have the switch adjusted too tight and it is holding the the brake pedal partly down. This will cause the brake master cylinder to...
Car makes noise like howling wind while Idling.
The power steering pump may whine if the fluid level has become too low from a leak or you may hear a squealing noise if the belt has become too slack. While the belt is off would be a good...
steering lock malfunction
Hello there, many issues will cause your 2004 Saab Turbo to have a steering lock malfunction with a fault code that will not clear. Without knowing what the fault code is I can only offer general advice. When the code...
How long does it take to change rear end on 2003 ford f150
The time depends on whether you are dropping in a pre-assembled (re-built or used) axle/differential or are talking about re-building what you have. To just remove and re-install the entire assembly would require roughly 7 to 11 hours depending on...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Farmer
If If you're a farmer, you know that what you need isn’t a used car – it’s a used pickup truck. How else are you going to haul around hay, implements, garden produce, fertilizer, and all the other things you...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a General Contractor
If If you're a general contractor, you probably aren’t in the market for a used car. More likely, you’re looking for a pickup truck, because you need to haul equipment and supplies to various job sites. Most contractors will likely...
How to Use “Stow ‘n’ Go” Seats in a Dodge or Chrysler Minivan
Minivans Minivans offer customers maximum interior space for the size of the vehicle. On a platform just a bit larger than a full size car, you can fit a driver and six passengers - or a driver, three passengers, and...