You’re ready to head out, but your car won’t budge from park. Don’t panic, though! As the saying goes, knowledge is power. In this post, I’ll walk you through the common causes of a car getting stuck in park, and what you can do about it.
Symptoms of a car stuck in park
If your car is stuck in park, you’ll likely notice a few key symptoms:
- The car starts, but the shifter won’t move out of the park position;
- The brake lights don’t turn on when you press the brake pedal;
- You feel resistance or hear a clicking noise when trying to shift gears.
Common causes
A number of issues can cause a car to get stuck in park, ranging from simple to more complex:
- Failed brake light switch or fuse: The brake light switch is often tied to the shift interlock mechanism. If the switch or its fuse fails, the car may think you’re not pressing the brake and remain locked in park.
- Damaged shift interlock solenoid: This solenoid prevents the car from shifting out of park unless the brakes are applied. If it’s damaged, it may not detect the brake press.
- Parking pawl problems: The parking pawl is a safety feature that keeps the car from rolling when parked. If it gets stuck, often due to the car’s weight resting on it, the car will remain in park until it’s released (sometimes a slight push uphill does the trick).
- Broken or stretched shift cable: The cable connecting the shifter to the transmission can stretch and break over time, preventing gear changes.
- Faulty transmission: In more severe cases, internal transmission issues like bad clutches or gears can prevent the car from shifting.
What’s involved in the repair
The specific repair needed will depend on the underlying cause. Some common steps include:
- Diagnosing the issue using computerized scanning tools and visual inspections;
- Replacing any failed switches, fuses, or solenoids;
- Adjusting or replacing stretched or broken shifter cables;
- Repairing or replacing the parking pawl or other internal transmission components if needed.
Proper diagnosis is key to avoiding unnecessary repairs. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced mechanic assess the situation.
Repair costs in New Zealand
The cost to repair a car stuck in park varies depending on the issue and the make and model of the vehicle. Based on the common causes, here are some rough estimates for repairs in NZ:
- Brake light switch or fuse replacement: $100-$300;
- Shift interlock solenoid replacement: $200-$600;
- Parking pawl repair/replacement: $200-$800+;
- Shifter cable replacement: $150-$500;
- Transmission repairs: $1000-$5000+.
Keep in mind these are just ballpark figures. For an accurate quote, it’s always best to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle.
Why choose My Auto Shop
When your car is stuck in park, the last thing you want to deal with is the hassle of getting it to the shop. That’s where we come in. At My Auto Shop, our expert mechanics come to you, whether you’re at home or at work.
We offer upfront, transparent pricing, so you know exactly what you’ll pay before any work begins. Plus, all our mechanics are MTA-approved and we back our work with a 10,000km guarantee.
With hundreds of 5-star reviews, it’s no wonder My Auto Shop is New Zealand’s top choice for mobile mechanic services. Don’t let a stuck parking brake ruin your day – book with us and we’ll get you back on the road in no time.