Car Says Transmission Not in Park

Causes

There are a few reasons why your car may say that the transmission is not in park, even when it is. These include:

• Worn or broken shift cable. The shift cable is responsible for connecting the gear selector to the transmission. If the cable is worn or broken, it can cause the transmission to not be able to fully engage in park.
• Faulty shift interlock solenoid. The shift interlock solenoid is a small electrical device that prevents the gear selector from being moved out of park unless the brake pedal is depressed. If the solenoid is faulty, it can cause the gear selector to be moved out of park even if the brake pedal is not depressed.
• Malfunctioning transmission control module (TCM). The TCM is a computer that controls the transmission. If the TCM malfunctions, it can cause the transmission to not be able to fully engage in park.

Solutions

If your car is saying that the transmission is not in park, there are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem:

• Check the shift cable. If the shift cable is worn or broken, it will need to be replaced. You can check the cable by shifting the gear selector into different gears and seeing if the cable moves smoothly. If the cable is not moving smoothly, it may be worn or broken.
• Check the shift interlock solenoid. The shift interlock solenoid can be tested by pressing the brake pedal and then trying to move the gear selector out of park. If the solenoid is faulty, the gear selector will be able to be moved out of park even if the brake pedal is not depressed.
• Have the TCM scanned for codes. If the TCM is malfunctioning, it will need to be replaced. You can have the TCM scanned for codes by a mechanic.

Preventing the Problem

There are a few things you can do to help prevent the problem of your car saying that the transmission is not in park. These include:

• Avoid shifting the gear selector into park before the car has come to a complete stop. This can put stress on the shift cable and cause it to wear or break.
• Depress the brake pedal fully before moving the gear selector out of park. This will help to prevent the shift interlock solenoid from malfunctioning.
• Have the transmission serviced regularly. This will help to keep the transmission in good working condition and prevent problems from developing.

Conclusion

If your car is saying that the transmission is not in park, it is important to have the problem diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible. This will help to prevent damage to the transmission and other components of your car.