Cant get my truck out of park!

ledzep244 · October 18, 2006

Since I bought my truck it has occasionally given me trouble going out of park. Once out of park it shifts fine. Recently it has been doing this increasingly often, and today it took me a good five minutes to get it out of park. Sometimes it helps if I turn the truck off and try it while other times it doesnt make any difference. I have my foot on the brake, please help! What is causing this? 123k on the truck. Thanks

-Daniel

Nice rig · October 18, 2006

Do you use the parking brake when parking? Do you park on a incline/decline?

ledzep244 · October 18, 2006

Do you use the parking brake when parking? Do you park on a incline/decline?

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No I dont use the parking brake, and I dont ever park on an incline or decline. I have only had the truck for about 3000 miles.

GM-Tech · October 18, 2006

could be the brake switch or the BTSI (Brake/Trans Shift Interlock) solenoid.

ledzep244 · October 18, 2006

could be the brake switch or the BTSI (Brake/Trans Shift Interlock) solenoid.

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How to I determine which one it is, and where is the brake/trans solenoid? Is it very expensive/hard to replace? Thanks

-Daniel

GM-Tech · October 19, 2006

How to I determine which one it is, and where is the brake/trans solenoid? Is it very expensive/hard to replace? Thanks

Go to the BTSI solenoid on the right side of the steering column. You'll have to remove the lower trim to get at it. Turn the key on and see if power toggles on and off as you press the brake pedal. If power is toggling, it's a bad solenoid (rare). If it isn't, it's probably the brake switch. Of course you'll want to do this test when it is NOT working.

BTW, you can get it out of park when this happens if you turn the ign. key on just enough to unlock the column but not enough to turn the power on. In other words, about half-way.

ledzep244 · October 19, 2006

How to I determine which one it is, and where is the brake/trans solenoid? Is it very expensive/hard to replace? Thanks

Go to the BTSI solenoid on the right side of the steering column. You'll have to remove the lower trim to get at it. Turn the key on and see if power toggles on and off as you press the brake pedal. If power is toggling, it's a bad solenoid (rare). If it isn't, it's probably the brake switch. Of course you'll want to do this test when it is NOT working.

BTW, you can get it out of park when this happens if you turn the ign. key on just enough to unlock the column but not enough to turn the power on. In other words, about half-way.

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Can the brake switch be the culprit even if the brake lights are lighting up?