Turning off ERROR: "Shift To Park" error..... HELP!!!

[freshchops]

New glitchy problem today...... I went to turn off ignition ('05 STS) and it starts ding-dinging and the message display says "SHIFT TO PARK". well, it is in park!

Also, the "Accessory-On" buttons light up and can not be turned off by pressing again. It acts like it's locked up.

Problem is, it leaves all accessories on.... radio, nav. screen, headlights and I have to keep manually turning everything off for now to avoid draining the battery.

So two errors, Although shifter's in Park, it ask me to "shift to park" (by the way, right below reads "P" for Park) which also leaves "Accessories" on and unable to cycle through accessory options.... both small lights at the bottom, accessory side stay on.

Why? Any way to reset the system? Sound like a case for the Service Dept. or am I'm doing something wrong? It just started all of a sudden when I ran over that little old lady........ just making sure you're paying attention.

Sometimes I think these cars are too smart for themselves [NOT]

[05lover]

The dealer told me if you disconnect both the positive and negative terminals from the battery and touch them together for 30seconds it resets the computer.

[Crown Vic Owner]

Originally Posted by 05lover

The dealer told me if you disconnect both the positive and negative terminals from the battery and touch them together for 30seconds it resets the computer.

DONT DO THIS


DONTDONTDONTDONTDONTDONTDONTDONTDONTDONTDONT do this

Are you a freakin idiot

[freshchops]

Originally Posted by 05lover

The dealer told me if you disconnect both the positive and negative terminals from the battery and touch them together for 30seconds it resets the computer.

.....OK, I'm no technician, but Idiot, I am not!

[Benjamin Simon]

I think I have this same problem every other time I put the car in park. Try pushing up on the shifter and make sure it is in park. My problem in a physical one where an adjustment needs to be made. It seems to be going into park, but not all of the way.
I brought it to the dealership and they could not duplicate the problem. WTF ever...

[urbanski]

Originally Posted by Crown Vic Owner

DONT DO THIS


DONTDONTDONTDONTDONTDONTDONTDONTDONTDONTDONT do this

Are you a freakin idiot

why?
that is how you reboot the electronics.
he didnt say short circuit the battery. perhaps you misunderstood.

[ewill3rd]

That procedure is what we call "clearing the caps". Basically it discharges any energy reserve in the computers in the car. Some have capacitors to store backup power for some memory functions.
I am not sure why you are against that procedure, except maybe you forgot the first part which is "disconnect the battery".
He's not telling him to lay a wrench accross the terminals, that would be different.

[Benjamin Simon]

Originally Posted by ewill3rd

That procedure is what we call "clearing the caps". Basically it discharges any energy reserve in the computers in the car. Some have capacitors to store backup power for some memory functions.
I am not sure why you are against that procedure, except maybe you forgot the first part which is "disconnect the battery".
He's not telling him to lay a wrench accross the terminals, that would be different.

Sir, do you know what might be cause our problem? I think you have more wisdom than everyone combined at my dealership.
Thanks!

[ewill3rd]

I haven't had this issue on STS, but I know on XLR the microswitch in the shifter can act up causing the computer to not know that the shifter is in park.
This will cause the DIC to display "shift to park".

There are other things that can cause this too.
Here is a PI from GM on the XLR condition. Although the hardware differs slightly the systems are the same, have them follow this information to diagnose the problem.
If you can get it to act up that would be best, based on what you have said, if this is an intermittent condition I would suspect the switch I talked about before.
It is serviced as part of the shifter.

Subject: Shift To Park Message On Drivers Information Center - keywords accessory BCM BTSI cadillac DIC ignition IPC keyless no park RKE shift TCM transmission #PIC3667C - (01/16/2007)



Models: 2004-2007 Cadillac XLR




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This PI was updated to advise using the Tech2 to monitor park position switch. Software was released to make this possible. Please discard PIC3667B.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
Some customers may state that the Drivers Information Center (DIC) is displaying a "Shift To Park Message" when the vehicle is in park. This may also be followed by a concern where the ignition mode switch will not go to the off position.

Recommendation/Instructions:
First - Adjust the shift cable in the park position. Place the shifter in the park position, lift the vehicle and rotate the rear wheels until the park pawl is verified to be engaged (wheels will not move). Release the cable adjustment lock and allow the cable to relax. Re-seat the cable adjustment lock. If the message is still displayed on the DIC replace the shifter assembly. Refer to SI document 927794 if needed to verify shift cable adjustment procedures.

Second - Check the status of the Internal Mode Switch in the Transmission Control Module (TCM). If the TCM is indicating the correct gear, it will be necessary to check the secondary park switch that is located on the right side of the shifter assembly. This switch is a direct input into the Body Control Module (BCM). This data can be viewed by following the Tech 2 path below.

Third - If the secondary park switch shows Park via Tech 2 data, re-check the shift cable adjustment and make sure the shifter button is not stuck. If both items check OK, replace the shifter assembly. The switch is not currently available separately.

Tech 2 Paths Listed Below...

2007 the path is: Diagnostics > (7) 2007 > Passenger Car > (6) Cadillac > Y > Body > Body Control Module > Data Display > BCM Data > Parameter #16 "Park Switch Auto".

2004 through 2006 the path is: Diagnostics > Select Model Year 2004, 2005 or 2006 > Passenger Car > (6) Cadillac > Y > Vehicle Control Systems > Computer Integrating Systems > Data Display > Body Control Module > Data > Parameter #16 "Park Switch Auto".

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

[Benjamin Simon]

It is intermittent. It is not a serious problem since all I need to do is push up on the shifter to encourage the shifter switch to recognize the position.
Thanks, you are great. You are a master of your craft. I am still dumbfounded by the morons at my local dealership. GM should pay you to talk to us.

[ascariSTS]

Hi,

I had the same problem with my STS... "shift to park" while it's in park and I can't turn off acc mode...

Well, before that, I removed the front headlight wires and took it out... then it started saying "shift to park" and I can't turn off or on... I thought it was a technical problem, but when they connected the headlight wires, the problem dissapeared...

so, did u remove the front light ?... or maybe you have to check their wires...

[freshchops]

PROBLEM SOLVED..... and thanks for all of the suggestions, even the connecting battery prongs ones. I see what you were getting at.

My little bro' told me that disconnecting the Negative Battery prong and leaving it (only) disconnected for about fifteen minutes, it would achieve the same effect.... draining all power and allowing for a system reset. Well, I disconnected it for almost an hour and when I reconnected, both the "Shift To Park" and the inability to turn off the acc. mode completely went away.

So for future search reference, a good first step would be to unplug Neg. battery prong for a while and reconnect allowing the computer to restart.

Thanks! C

[ewill3rd]

If it comes back you know what to look for
Glad to hear it is working for you.