Hello,

I've searched through the forum and was not able to find a fix. A week ago, the car would not shift out of park. I tried several times then was finally able to shift. This happened on and off for a few day, then all of the time. I've been using the switch on the console ever since. Then, about a day after, the check engine light came on. I've checked the gas cap, I've run the test with the key (which simply showed "-DONE-", no codes) and nothing has helped.

I'd really rather not have to go to the dealer if possible. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to the forum. I don't know where you are located, but most AutoZone stores will scan for codes for free. Write down any code you get and post it here.

Also, have you verified that the brake lights are working? If so, the release actuator on the shifter may have failed.

 

Thanks for your reply. I checked the brakes this morning and sure enough, no brake lights. There is a single AutoZone near here, so I am going to give them a call this morning about scanning. I'll also check the switch that you outlined in another thread.

 

So, I went to Autozone and got a scan. They came up with two codes:

P0571 - Brake Switch A Circuit Malfunction
P0700 - Transmission Control System Malfunction

As suspected due to the info here on the forums, I assumed it was the break switch causing both. Autozone suggested I take it to a shop.

On the way back to the office, I decided to stop in a lot and check the switch. I did 3 things in this order:

1. Check the fuse in bank 3. Took it out and it was fine, so I placed it back.
2. Depressed the break pedal and manually depressed the switch several times.
3. Removed the wire chasis from the switch and plugged it back in.

I then go into the car, started it, depressed the break pedal and amazingly, was able to take the car out of park. I did this several times and was able to see the brake lights working again as well.

I then drove back to the office, the CEL was still on. I parked the car, turned off the ignition and sat for a moment. When I started the car again, not only was I able to shift out of park, but the CEL was now off as well!

I am not sure which step above made this happen, but for now at least, the problem is solved!

 

May have just been a bad connection or the switch was stuck. Either way, good deal. Cheap fix for now