cannot get button on shifter to push in to shift the gear

1998 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
125,000 MILES
Avatar
SHARONEBROWN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
1998 chev monte carlo, Automatic, shifter on floor can you tell me what to do or how to fix it. After I warm up my car which is always, I go to push in button to shift gear into drive, the button on the shifter will not push in, it is an automatic on the floor.
Dec 24, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
WRENCHTECH
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 20,761 POSTS
That would be called the shift interlock feature. It operates on the same circuit as the brake lights so the first thing you want to do is to make sure the brake lights are working when this problem is present. If the brake lights are working, that proves the circuit is good up to that point, then you'll have to get to the solenoid in the console/column. Disassemble as much as you have to to access the solenoid near the shifting mechanism. Us a 12v test light to test for power coming and going at the solenoid when the brake is applied. If power is arriving and switching and the solenoid is not triggering, the solenoid is bad and will have to be replaced.
Dec 24, 2011 at 12:37 PM