Car Won't Stop Telling Me to Shift to Park Even Though I'm in Park!

Questions and Support
1

I’ve been having a frustrating issue with my Chevrolet where the dashboard keeps saying ‘Shift to Park’ even when I’m clearly in the park position. This problem started a few weeks ago and has progressively gotten worse.

What I’ve Noticed:

  • When I turn off the engine, the message pops up.
  • It makes starting the car a real hassle, as I have to keep cycling through the gears until it accepts that it’s in Park.
  • Sometimes, I hear clicking noises when I try to shift.

Possible Causes:

From what I’ve read, this could be caused by a few things:

  • Faulty gear shift sensor: It might not be recognizing the position correctly.
  • Transmission issues: There could be something more significant under the hood affecting the shifter.
  • Computer errors: My car’s computer might be throwing a false signal due to glitches or error codes.

What I’ve Tried:

  • I’ve checked the linkage and made sure it is properly connected.
  • Rebooted the vehicle’s computer by disconnecting the battery for a while; no luck.
  • Looked for software updates that might be available; nothing seemed urgent.

Seeking Advice:

Has anyone else experienced this? I’m wondering if there are specific repairs I should look into or any quick troubleshooting tips that could help. Should I take it to the dealership, or are there common fixes that I can try myself? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for any help!

2

This issue can stem from several areas. One common problem is a faulty shift cable that might not be accurately sending the gear position signal. Have you looked into that?

3

Thanks for the insight! I hadn’t thought about the shift cable. Are there any signs I should look for that indicate it might be damaged?

4

Definitely! If the cable is frayed or if the gears feel loose when shifting, that can be a sign. Also, check for any weird sounds when you shift to park.

5

Got it! I’ve also read that sometimes it could be a sensor issue. Do you think that’s possible?

6

Absolutely! A malfunctioning park sensor can definitely trigger that warning. It’s worth checking those out too. It’s a good idea to test the car’s electronics with a diagnostic tool.

5 Likes
7

I’m dealing with this too! One moment it works fine, then suddenly the warning pops up. Could there be electronic glitches, as you mentioned?

8

This might be an intermittent electronic issue. I recommend disconnecting the battery for a while, as it sometimes recalibrates the electronics.

9

That sounds like a plan! I’ll definitely give it a shot. It’s frustrating, but I’m relieved I’m not alone in this.

10

I once had a friend whose car insisted on saying ‘shift to park’ even when he was all set. He finally just named the car ‘Parky’ for fun!

11

That’s clever! A little humor definitely helps in frustrating situations. But seriously, I’m curious if anyone has ever resolved this issue without spending a fortune.

12

Good question! It often can be resolved by checking the simple stuff first. Sometimes a quick cleaning of the connectors or replacing a small part can save a lot of money and time!

13

I had the same issue last week! I found that inspecting the gear shifter helped a lot. Sometimes dust or debris can cause it to send false signals. Just clean it carefully!

14

Great advice! I’ve also checked the vehicle’s fuses. Sometimes a blown fuse can trigger strange messages. It’s worth a look!

15

What a nuisance! I’ve heard resetting the vehicle’s computer might solve this glitch. It worked for my friend’s car. Has anyone tried that?

7 Likes
16

Yes, resetting the computer can help! Just disconnect the battery for about 15 minutes. But be careful with any radio settings—you might lose them!

17

I haven’t thought of that! I’ve just been dealing with the constant reminder to shift to park. It’s so annoying!

18

Have any of you checked if there’s a software update for your car? Sometimes these issues are tied to outdated software and can be fixed with a quick update at the dealership.

6 Likes
19

That’s a great point! I guess it’s time to stop procrastinating and check in for an update!

20

But honestly, how often do these messages even mean anything? It feels like half the time, they just pop up for no reason. Anyone else get a headache from these notifications?