Stuck/sticking brake/shifter interlock fix

tateos · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 10:21 PM

'97 ETC - problems shifting out of Park sometimes - sometimes really, really bad! Checked it out and the solenoid seemed to be the problem. I didn't want to spend the time and money to replace the solenoid - I just disconnected it and problems solved.

To do it (on a '97 ETC) - easiest access if you can move the shifter to the Neutral or lower area, but possible in Park:

1. Remove the retaining clip on the front/ashtray side of the shift knob and pull up and remove the shift knob.

2. Gently pry and pull up the shifter bezel - the entire panel underneath the shifter - on my car it's wood. Disconnect the plugs from the bottom side of shifter bezel - there were three on my car - 2 were for the heated seats.

3. Look down below, in the front part of the shifter cavity - you will see a solenoid with the piston facing the back of the car - remove the plug from the solenoid.

4. Abracadbra - no more problems shifting out of Park. The shifter is still locked when in Park - this just means you don't have to step on the brake to shift from Park, which is just fine with me

**Ranger** · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 10:24 PM

That's how mine is because I never hooked it up when I did the conversion and installed the DTS console. I keep thinking about doing it, but then I think, why?

tateos · #3 (**permalink**) 07-07-09, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

That's how mine is because I never hooked it up when I did the conversion and installed the DTS console. I keep thinking about doing it, but then I think, why?

Maybe a good thing if you are in the habit of leaving the car running in Park, with children in the car - otherwise, no good reason I can think of. I mean, it's just common sense and we all learned to do it when we learned to drive - step on the brake before shifting from park, right?

**Ranger** · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-09, 07:09 PM

Yup, that has become second nature. No "children" to worry about here. Mine are grown.

tateos · #5 (**permalink**) 07-07-09, 07:21 PM

Never had 'em, never will!

greg-sls · #6 (**permalink**) 07-07-09, 10:05 PM

Sounds like this would be a good one for tech tips.

**Ranger** · #7 (**permalink**) 07-08-09, 12:05 AM

Copied to Tech Tips.

mtflight · #8 (**permalink**) 07-08-09, 04:49 PM

Tateos, I had the same problem with my ETC. Fortunately spraying "electronic parts cleaner" at the solenoid area, fixed it. Apparently some of our cars have had people spill drinks in the area, contaminating it.

Ranger, with yours, it's like mine. Just match the wires from the little box onto the harness, and voila.. you hear a click when the solenoid activates as you apply the brake. Just like the traction control button. I wired it to the harness and voila.. works too.

**Ranger** · #9 (**permalink**) 07-08-09, 05:26 PM

Yeah, if I get ambitious one of these day, but like Tateos said, it's really not necessary.

mtflight · #10 (**permalink**) 07-08-09, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

Yeah, if I get ambitious one of these day, but like Tateos said, it's really not necessary.

I know what you mean. But the Traction Control button wasn't necessary either (I've never had to use it), and we had the urge to rewire all that to get the little backlight and to be able to push it and see the Traction Ready message.

Took me a good 4 minutes, using wire taps.

The only thing I haven't been able to do, is to get a reverse lockout signal to tap into (apparently it's a DTS only circuit, but someone really sharp into electronics like N*Caddy would be able to figure that out). This would prevent the shifter from going into reverse while the car is in motion above 5 mph.

Tateos' ETC does not have that feature because I believe one must push the button on that shifter in order to get it to move into reverse.

Red.1998.SLS · #11 (**permalink**) 10-23-09, 03:32 PM

Will this same fix work on my sls, I just posted today and then searched...

**Ranger** · #12 (**permalink**) 10-23-09, 04:00 PM

It should be the same.

mtflight · #13 (**permalink**) 10-23-09, 04:16 PM

I think possibly he may have to rig the orange "manual shift release" in the open position. My shift interlock solenoid went out recently.

**Ranger** · #14 (**permalink**) 10-23-09, 04:46 PM

Hmm, good reason not to hook it up I guess (I haven't gotten around to it yet

). Maybe I'll just leave well enough alone.

Red.1998.SLS · #15 (**permalink**) 10-23-09, 10:36 PM

Ok i didn't find the solenoid or piston, I may be blind, can someone please describe better? I used some electric parts cleaner on the area because everything looked real sticky like a old coke spill, seems to have loosened it up but I would like to just do the method that Ranger and Tateos have.