Car Automatic Transmission Stuck in Park
If your car’s automatic transmission is stuck in park, it can be a frustrating and potentially dangerous situation. There are a few things you can try to get your car out of park, but if you’re not successful, you’ll need to call a mechanic.
Causes of a Transmission Stuck in Park
There are a few different things that can cause a car’s transmission to get stuck in park. These include:
- A faulty shift interlock solenoid. The shift interlock solenoid is a small electrical component that prevents the driver from shifting out of park unless the brake pedal is depressed. If the solenoid fails, it can prevent the driver from shifting out of park even when the brake pedal is depressed.
- A broken shift cable. The shift cable is a metal cable that connects the shift lever to the transmission. If the cable breaks, it can prevent the driver from moving the shift lever out of park.
- A seized transmission. In some cases, the transmission itself can seize up, which can prevent the driver from shifting out of park. This is usually caused by a lack of maintenance or a mechanical failure.
How to Get Your Car Out of Park
If your car’s transmission is stuck in park, there are a few things you can try to get it out. These include:
- Try jiggling the shift lever. Sometimes, the shift lever can get stuck in a certain position. You can try jiggling the lever back and forth to see if it will move out of park.
- Try depressing the brake pedal harder. If the shift interlock solenoid is faulty, you may be able to override it by depressing the brake pedal harder than usual.
- Try starting the car in neutral. If the transmission is seized, you may be able to start the car in neutral and then shift it into park. This will only work if the transmission is not completely seized.
If you’re not successful in getting your car out of park, you’ll need to call a mechanic. The mechanic will be able to diagnose the problem and repair it so that you can shift your car out of park.
Preventing a Transmission Stuck in Park
There are a few things you can do to prevent your car’s transmission from getting stuck in park. These include:
- Have your car serviced regularly. Regular maintenance can help to prevent problems with the shift interlock solenoid, shift cable, and transmission.
- Avoid shifting into park while the car is moving. This can put stress on the transmission and cause it to seize up.
- Park your car on a level surface. This will help to prevent the transmission from shifting out of park when you start the car.
By following these tips, you can help to prevent your car’s transmission from getting stuck in park.
