Pontiac Grand Prix Forums : Grandprix

So I have never had a problem with my car getting stuck in park or the the key getting stuck in the ignition.

Today, I went to get a drink at the gas station. Parked the car, went in and got what I wanted. I come back out, start the car and sure enough it wont come out of park. The strange thing is, the shift lock release wont unlock it either! Also, the key does not get stuck in the ignition.

Anyone had this problem? I really need my car and had to take the day off to try and fix it. If anyone could point me in the right starting direction I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

I had that problem a few years ago. It ended up being the wiring harness going to the shifter had a broken wire. I replaced the pig-tail, and that took care of the problem. Temporarily, pop the top part of your shift console off and manually release the solenoid that is holding the lever in park. While you're in there, check all 5 wires and make sure they are not broken at the plug.

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'97 GTP: 9.5:1 Diamonds, XP'd, 3.4, Lucas 42.5#, P-Log, 3" DP, Ported S/C and heads, N*, HPTuners
Coming Up: A functioning TCC PWM solenoid... (Transmission)

Will those wires really prevent Shift Lock Release from not working?

The shift lock release is a mechanical lever that manually pops the solenoid out. Mine never worked, even when the car was newish. It appears that a part of the lever mechanism was broken early in this car's life, or was missing from the get-go.

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'97 GTP: 9.5:1 Diamonds, XP'd, 3.4, Lucas 42.5#, P-Log, 3" DP, Ported S/C and heads, N*, HPTuners
Coming Up: A functioning TCC PWM solenoid... (Transmission)

Wierd. This is the first time I have ever tried it so I'm not sure if it has ever worked. But I will take it apart tommorow and see whats wrong.

Did you buy a new clip/connectors from the dealership?

I had to. That was the only place I could find one. I don't remember exactly what it was called, but it's the pigtail that plugs in at the base of the shifter. It came with 6 wires, only 5 are needed, so I un-pinned the extra one. Do yourself a favor and solder the wires in instead of just crimping them. I ended up having to go back through and solder mine about 6 months after installing the pigtail with a crimp because one of the wiggled out.

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'97 GTP: 9.5:1 Diamonds, XP'd, 3.4, Lucas 42.5#, P-Log, 3" DP, Ported S/C and heads, N*, HPTuners
Coming Up: A functioning TCC PWM solenoid... (Transmission)

So it isnt the wires. I swapped out the shift assembly so its not that sensor. where is the switch on the transmission

The neutral safety switch is on top of the transmission on the driver's side just below the brake booster. You can get to it easily if you remove your intake tube. More than likely, though, that's not the problem. If you manually release the shifter and put it into a gear, does the transmission engage that gear?

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'97 GTP: 9.5:1 Diamonds, XP'd, 3.4, Lucas 42.5#, P-Log, 3" DP, Ported S/C and heads, N*, HPTuners
Coming Up: A functioning TCC PWM solenoid... (Transmission)

Yes it shifts just fine. I am currently driving it around and I am just using the shift lock release.

I talked to pontiac and the shifter selenoid is grounded with the neutral saftey switch.

I just took my 2002 apart for the same reason. I can see the solenoid. I wonder if there is any info on how to test probe the solenoid to see if it is good. Here is a link to take a look inside:
Shifter knob

When it first happened, my wife tried to push down on the shift lock release and thought it wasn't working, then she realized that you have to take the cap off first to depress the release. Common to miss if you aren't familiar with it.
Is there a way to bookmark this thread to see what other answers you get

My 2000 Grand Prix is doing the same thing. In order to shift the gear, I must keep pressing the safety down. I wonder if they would allow me to pass inspection because of this?
One more thing, the light on the dashboard, where the display for fuel use and oil life is going on and off. Someone tell me what's going on with that car please

Hey Dan
I am a newbie and still learning how to use the reply system. I am looking for the wire positions for the shift lock plug in my 2002 Grand Prix SE. I have 2 broken wire which I am going to solder up per your suggestion but since they broke off leaving no trace of insulator I don't know which of the 2 go back into the appropriate hole in the connector. The broken ones are one solid pink and the other purple/white stripe. They go on the same bank in the connector next to the solid orange. Thanks for your post, Panelbeater.