Shifter Stuck + Fix

[sliptap]

well, I had to recently screw around with this, so I'm posting this in hopes that someone with my exact problem or a similar one can fix their car! Don't freak out if I explain a lot here...This guide is written for somebody who might not be mechanically inclined

 

Car: 1995 Grand Prix SE with console shift. Column shifters are different, and have a different system layout. Can't help you there

 

Problem: My shift knob broke a couple of months ago, but had been acting up previously. When my shift knob was removed, I had to forcefully push down on the shift engage lever [the thing that the shift knob pushes down so you can move your shifter] (by forcefully, I mean hit it with something hard). With my brakes engaged, the lever would eventually engage, and as long as I had my foot on the brake pedal, the shifter was easy to engage and move.

 

As soon as I would let go of the brake, there was a clicking noise, and the shifter engage lever would get hard again. This becomes a pain in the ass when you have to bang on your shift knob when you wish to leave park.

 

This system has also been known to prevent people from engaging their shifter completely, or getting their keys stuck in the ignition. This should fix all of that.

 

The Knowledge: The problem with my car was within the BTSI (Brake Transmission Shift Interlock) system. Essentially, it is what keeps you from putting your car in reverse without pressing the brake pedal in. The system starts with a sensor near your brake pedal, and ends with a solonoid (think of it like an electronic dohicky, if you didn't know). The solonoid lies beneath the actual shifter mechanism, under your center console. That is what we are getting to (don't worry, it isn't that bad).

 

Solutions:

1. Lube the solonoid / the system up (gunk can get lodged in there) and pray

2. Adjust the BTSI

3. Bypass the BTSI

 

Yeah, number 3 looked the best to me too...

 

Lets Do It:

1. Remove all junk from your car. I'm talking coins in the cup holder and CD's in that center part.

2. Put your car in neutral and put on your parking brake. To remove the console trim piece, it's easier if your shifter is back.

3. Open the ash tray and pop out the little metal holder piece.

4. Open your center console. Yuo should notice a little hole that you can pry with where the console meets the shifter trim along the "tranny tunnel". You will notice that there is a trim piece all along this. Slowly, using a flatedge screw driver, pry along the edges of this trim, until you can take it out.

 

5. Underneath, you should see a bunch of goodies, mainly the shifter assymbly. If you want, go ahead and lube everything up, just to be safe. Now, if you are sitting in the drivers seat, facing the console: to the left of the shifter, below in the mess, you should see a little white cylinder, with a wiring plug attached to it on top. Thats the solonoid. If you still aren't sure, I believe there is a wall between the brake wire and the solonoid, and atleast in my car, the wiring harness was on top.

 

6. After you are sure, just unplug the harness from the solonoid. Now the system is bypassed. You're shifter should work (might as well test it to be safe) and you should be able to easily press in your shifter engage lever.

 

7. Put everything back together and enjoy. Careful, you can now remove your car from park without using the brake pedal.

 

8. If it still isn't fix...maybe it is your shifter, maybe not. Who knows. Sorry about your luck

[rockfangd]

lol nice write up. i am glad my 94 doesnt have that feature. i have never liked that but then i dont have kids or anything

[ns87]

I think this should go in the FAQ! It happened to another member not too long ago

[sliptap]

Just don't want someone to go through what I went through...and pay $200 to some fat mechanic, when all he did was unplug the damn thing.