Can’t shift out of park Chevrolet, Pontiac

Fix can’t shift out of park Chevrolet, Pontiac

The shift interlock system is set up to prevent shifting out of park unless the driver’s foot is on the brake pedal and the transmission is in park or neutral. GM has issued a service bulletin #PIC5500 to address a can’t shift out of park Chevrolet, Pontiac condition on the vehicles listed below:

2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada Only)

2007-2010 Pontiac G5

What causes the can’t shift out of park condition?

When applying the brake pedal during start up, the brake pedal switch completes a portion of the circuit to release the shift interlock solenoid pin, allowing you to shift out of park. However, the transmission range data sensor (TR SW) is also part of the circuit and must be in either the park or neutral position to form the other portion of the electrical circuit.

GM has discovered that corrosion on the white wire at the TR SW can cause the can’t shift out of park condition.

Check for corrosion on the white wire at or in the connector at the transmission range selector mounted on the top of the transmission

Disconnect the electrical connector from the transmission range switch

Then check for corrosion on the white wire. If you detect corrosion, clean and apply stabilant 22

Electrical contact enhancer

or dielectric grease to prevent further corrosion. Reconnect. Then test to see if you can shift out of park.

Also see this can’t shift out of park post

©, 2017 Rick Muscoplat