Why won't shifter come out of Park

Asked by aniceito Jan 02, 2015 at 06:12 PM about the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE Ext. Cab

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Start Truck. Step on brake. Shifter won't come out of Park.

19 Answers

1,580

Easy fix, I have the or had the same problem with my 97 GMC c1500. Just tilt the wheel up and look on the bottom plastic cover you should see a cut out on the lower right hand side (Gas's pedel side) take a flat head driver and pop off the black plastic arm on the shift leaver. There are two plastic arms on the shift Handel the white one is your shift cable and the black one is your shift lock sellaniod witch is what is malfunctioning. Hope this helps

158 people found this helpful.
230

My problem is similar, and if I bounce the ignition switch a few times into the steering column, most times I am then able to move the shifter out of park. I will try looking at the plastic arms and see if one is worn / cracked. Thanks.

23 people found this helpful.
190

No answer, but wanted to thank you, my son has limited funds this saved him some money, it did the trick!

19 people found this helpful.
840

but what do u do with the plastic arms snap them off or can u adjust or what ?

52 people found this helpful.
860

Got into my 2009 Sierra this morning. It started but when I went to put it into gear there was nothing...no resistance, no gear shifting.

86 people found this helpful.
220

After you start your truck, press on brake and pull on shifter at the exact same time - it just worked for me on 2011 Sierra.

22 people found this helpful.
220

2011 sierra intermittently would not shift out of park. Replaced brake light switch. Ten $ and 20 minutes labor. Problem solved. Has never happened again.

22 people found this helpful.
60

i have a 1998 ford f-150 and it sounds like it may have same problem

6 people found this helpful.
150

I've had my 98 since new and have changed that brake light switch several times. The one in there now is only two weeks old! There has to be a better way!

15 people found this helpful.
610

1990 chevy silverado k1500 stuck in park any suggestions how to get it unstuck?

59 people found this helpful.
190

I have a 2000 gmc 1500 2wd drive. When I put it in drive or reverse it wont do anything but rev up. What can cause this? Done checked fluids, changed silanoids and still nothing.

19 people found this helpful.
230

i have a 2009 silverrado and it wont come out of park but a new brake light switch and it still wont work

23 people found this helpful.
70

Have a 97 k1500. Have a similar problem. Truck would not go fully into park. Have to do it manually under the vehicle. Noticed the gear linkage shaft on tranny was leaking. Took the neutral safety switch off in order to replace the seal. Put back I it's same spot. Had all my gears for one full shift thru them all then it all went to just park. Like it's in limp mode.

7 people found this helpful.
40

FYI the remedy I found is good ole’ WD40. Liberally spray drive indicator bar and switch under the dash. Put emergency brake on, cycle thru all gears several times to lubricate well.

4 people found this helpful.
10

I will try the different things I just read but I treated it like a harley I had a bad shifter fork I had to rock it and until I replaced it, that kept me going today I rocked my truck got me home 3x

1 people found this helpful.
50

I have a 2008 GMC 3500 Sierra. The problem with it is that the shift lever is hard to take it out of Drive. I have to press the brake pedal all the way down to get it out. Anyone know what is going on and how to fix it?

5 people found this helpful.
20

It is the shift lock solenoid. These are the steps on my 2013 GMC 3500 1) Turn the key just one turn, Only the light indicator on the shifter under P should come on. if other lights come one you have turned the key to far. 2)Put your foot on the brake and move the shifter to N -Neutral 3) Now start the engine. 4) Keeping your foot on the brake shift it to D - Drive This works for most that do not have a shift lock release button. Replacing the shift lock solenoid is pretty easy, it is located in the steering column

2 people found this helpful.

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