Transmission does not shift out of park?

2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
160,000 MILES • 6.0L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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RLPETERSON78
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I replaced the ignition solenoid because I couldn't shift out of park. I was having this issue before, and I disconnected the plug that goes into the ignition solenoid, and I was able to shift to get home. So, I replaced the ignition solenoid and that didn't solve the problem. What else should I be looking at?
Nov 22, 2024 at 4:34 PM
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STRAILER
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"Ignition solenoid" do you mean the shift lock solenoid? Is this the part you are talking about? Check out the images (below).
Nov 23, 2024 at 9:59 AM
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RLPETERSON78
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Yes that is what I replaced.
Nov 23, 2024 at 10:07 AM
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RLPETERSON78
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I have been working on my truck today. When I had my old shift lock solenoid and took the plug out, I couldn't shift my truck. I replaced it and it won't shift out of park. So, I took the plug out and now it still does not shift. Looking at the shift mechanism everything looks okay and I can start the engine. What can I check next?
Nov 23, 2024 at 2:16 PM
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STRAILER
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When replacing the shift lock solenoid it must be adjusted. Here is how the job is done. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.
Nov 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM
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RLPETERSON78
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Hi Ken,

I hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving.

I have installed and adjusted the shift lock solenoid as described and I still cannot get the shifter out of park. As I searched for the possibility cause I realized the pin in Steering Column Shift Control Mechanism isn't being retracted when I press the brakes. So I think that there is an electrical problem sending a signal to retracted the pin. Can you please send me a wire diagram surrounding the pin retaction in the shift control mechanism?

Best regards,

Ron
Nov 30, 2024 at 11:50 AM
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Thank you for the kind words, I hope you have a nice thanksgiving as well ;) Here is the shift lock wiring diagrams and guide to help check for power.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester



Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
Nov 30, 2024 at 2:43 PM
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RLPETERSON78
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Ken,

Thank you for sending me the wire diagram. I need to see how the pin in the shift control mechanism is retracted. I see that it isn't being retracted and that is why I can't shift out of park.

I will check for power in the diagram you send and let you know what I found.

Best regards,

Ron
Nov 30, 2024 at 8:15 PM
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STRAILER
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Sounds good, there is not too, much to the circuit so testing should be not to difficult.
Dec 1, 2024 at 10:28 AM
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RLPETERSON78
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Hi Ken,

I tested the circuit everywhere I could test it with a test light. So I have confirmed that there is power to the shift lock solenoid. Starting the truck, putting my foot on the brake didn't allow me to get the shifter out of park.

Looking closely at what the problem is, it is a pin in the shift control mechanism. In the photo attached you can see a black wire that loops around from under the shifter and ending at the top of the shifting mechanism. At the end of the wire there is a pin the need to be extracted in order to shift. I can see that the pin isn't getting extracted and that is why I can shift. Do you have any information what power is needed to cause the pin to retracted? Is there a part that I need to replace?

Best regards,

Ron
Dec 2, 2024 at 2:22 PM
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The light-grn/blk wire should get 12 volts when your foot is on the brakes and the blk wire sound be ground, test the wiring with the shift lock solenoid disconnected. Please go over this guide for clarification.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Please let us know what happens.
Dec 3, 2024 at 9:34 AM
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RLPETERSON78
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Hi Ken,

When I tested the battery I got 12.57 volts. Testing the green wire on the plug I got 11.58 without the brake being pushed and break it went down to about 20 to 5 millivolts. What do I need to check now that the solenoid isn't getting the correct power?

Best regards

Ron
Dec 3, 2024 at 3:27 PM
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All right! now we are getting closer. Lets test the drgrn/wht wire coming out of the brake light switch. When the brake is depressed you should get close to 12 volts. Let me know, you might have a bad brake light switch.
Dec 4, 2024 at 10:06 AM
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RLPETERSON78
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Hi Ken,

I put the lead into the green/white line and tested it for power. No matter when I pushed the brake did I get anywhere close to 12 volts. See video. With this result do I need a new brake light switch?

Best regards,

Ron
Dec 4, 2024 at 12:36 PM
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RLPETERSON78
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Ken,

Do I need a new Brake light switch?
Dec 5, 2024 at 10:39 AM
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STRAILER
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Do the brake lights work? If so, the brake light switch is bad and needs replacement. Here is how to swap it out. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
Dec 5, 2024 at 1:33 PM
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RLPETERSON78
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Yes the brake light works when I press the brake pedal. The only thing that doesn't work is the green wire to the shift lock solenoid. I tested it at both ends and didn't get 12 volts from either end. If the rest of the Brake light switch works but the wire to the shift lock solenoid doesn't, what does that indicate?
Dec 5, 2024 at 2:46 PM
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The brake light switch is bad if you are not getting 12 volts from the grn/wht wire. Let me know what happens.
Dec 6, 2024 at 9:30 AM