Manual Park Release 2021-2024 Models For Towing Or Other Reasons

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jfoj

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Not sure about pre 2021 vehicles, but the 2021-2024 with the electronic button shifting cannot be manually tanke out of park from inside the drivers compartment. The parking pawl is /Elecrically and hydraylically controlled. So if the engine does not start and is not running and/or there is a problem with the transmission, you cannot get the transmission out of park.

If may be possibly with the 4 wheel drive versions to get the transfer case into a Neutral mode to roll the truck, but this will at least require battery power. Additionally, it is my understanding if the transmission parking pawl is manually overrided, then the electric parking brake will engage as a safety feature if the vehicle has battery power. I have also found info if the manual park override is used, it may store a transmission related code in the PCM?? A standard OBDII scan tool may be able to clear any codes/errors tha may be recorded, but I have not had a chance to walk through the complete process to see how the electric parking brake behaves and if any codes may be set if the PCM.

All of the above stated, the transmission park can be overridden with vice grips, an adjust wrench, an open end wrench or even with the GM special tool DT-52910 Manual Park Release Tool.

Depending on the situation, you may need to roll the vehicle to jump start, tow or for some other reason. The issue with manually overriding the parking pawl from under the car is SAFETY. The vehicle CAN AND WILL ROLL. YOU MUST DO THIS CAUTIOUSLY. Possibly even having wheel chocks or someone in the drivers seat to manally apply the brakes.

The tricky part is if the electric parking brake is automatically enabled, this may cause some problems depending on the vehicle electrical system. So this is another thing to think about and may need to be bypassed. Most of the bypass suggestions seem to suggest unplugging the parking brake connectors at the rear calipers, but there may be a fuse/relay that can be pulled rather than unplugging the emergancy brake wiring.

Here are a few good YouTube videos that give you some ideas of what you need to do to bypass the parking pawl in the transmission.




Additionally the GM special tool can be used. DT-52910 Manual Park Release Tool is about $300 depending on the sources you find it available from. I am planning to install this DT-52910 Manual Park Release Tool in my vehicle permemently and possibly route the cable into the driver compartment so the parking pawl can be release from the driver seat. We will see if this is possible. The DT_52910 comes with a 6 1/2 foot cable and you can easily remove the release end but would need about a 1/2" hole to pass the cable end into the driver compartment. A splt grommet could be used to seal the hole and protect the cable jacket. The tricky part would be somehow mounting the release handle as it is really not designed to be mounted, but it could be stored under the dash with some bread ties to be removed for access as needed. Will see how all this goes and if it works out as planned.

Update!!

So today while it was warmer out I installed the Manual Park Release tool in the truck. I should have put the truck up on ramps, but had a slight dip in the driveway where the truck was parked. I was able to crawl under and instal the braket on the transmission, this is pretty easy. The tricky part is some transmissions may have a threaded shaft, mine did not, so there is a locking collar with a 2.5mm hex head screw that clamps the collar on the shaft on the transmisson. The issue is the bracket that slides on the shaft floats and there is not a good way to make sure the bracket is tight the way things are designed. I installed 3 flat washers I had laying around to take up some of the space so the bracket was not wobbeling around as much. I think I need to find and add a wave washer to preload the bracket slightly, but the washers helped quite a bit.

Routed the cable up under the hood for the time being, it may stay there, not sure. So for now I just need to pop the hood and pull the loose end of the cable up so I have access to the handle to release the parking brake.

I still need to come up with a full process on how to get the vehicle in Neutral without trigger the parking brake. I have some ideas other than unplugging the connectors on the rear calipers. I did a quick test and when the cable handle was pulled the transmission selector Neutral light was blinking and the dash display indicated N.

I did get a pop up message to Service Transmission on the dash display, it did seem to clear once I released the Park Release handle, but I will need to follow up and see if there are any permanent OBDII transmission codes. I actually did have the SES/CEL/MIL light on after starting and driving the truck. 2 codes, P0700 Transmission Control Malfunction and P187E Transmission Park Valve Stuck Off. These are expected unless the battery is disconnected prior to using the Manual Park Release. The codes would also not likely be triggered if the ignition is not turned on. I turned the ignition on to see if I could get the parking brake to release, did not have luck, but need to try a few other things to see what happens. These codes and the SES/CEL/MIL should clear on their own after 10-20 start cycles, or should be able to be cleared with a standard OBDII scan tool or App and interface. I have not had a chance to clear the codes yet, probably try to do this in the next few days.

At least I now have a Park Override installed in the truck if I need it for any reason.
 

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2024 White Tahoe

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Not sure about pre 2021 vehicles, but the 2021-2024 with the electronic button shifting cannot be manually tanke out of park from inside the drivers compartment. The parking pawl is /Elecrically and hydraylically controlled. So if the engine does not start and is not running and/or there is a problem with the transmission, you cannot get the transmission out of park.

If may be possibly with the 4 wheel drive versions to get the transfer case into a Neutral mode to roll the truck, but this will at least require battery power. Additionally, it is my understanding if the transmission parking pawl is manually overrided, then the electric parking brake will engage as a safety feature if the vehicle has battery power. I have also found info if the manual park override is used, it may store a transmission related code in the PCM?? A standard OBDII scan tool may be able to clear any codes/errors tha may be recorded, but I have not had a chance to walk through the complete process to see how the electric parking brake behaves and if any codes may be set if the PCM.

All of the above stated, the transmission park can be overridden with vice grips, an adjust wrench, an open end wrench or even with the GM special tool DT-52910 Manual Park Release Tool.

Depending on the situation, you may need to roll the vehicle to jump start, tow or for some other reason. The issue with manually overriding the parking pawl from under the car is SAFETY. The vehicle CAN AND WILL ROLL. YOU MUST DO THIS CAUTIOUSLY. Possibly even having wheel chocks or someone in the drivers seat to manally apply the brakes.

The tricky part is if the electric parking brake is automatically enabled, this may cause some problems depending on the vehicle electrical system. So this is another thing to think about and may need to be bypassed. Most of the bypass suggestions seem to suggest unplugging the parking brake connectors at the rear calipers, but there may be a fuse/relay that can be pulled rather than unplugging the emergancy brake wiring.

Here are a few good YouTube videos that give you some ideas of what you need to do to bypass the parking pawl in the transmission.




Additionally the GM special tool can be used. DT-52910 Manual Park Release Tool is about $300 depending on the sources you find it available from. I am planning to install this DT-52910 Manual Park Release Tool in my vehicle permemently and possibly route the cable into the driver compartment so the parking pawl can be release from the driver seat. We will see if this is possible. The DT_52910 comes with a 6 1/2 foot cable and you can easily remove the release end but would need about a 1/2" hole to pass the cable end into the driver compartment. A splt grommet could be used to seal the hole and protect the cable jacket. The tricky part would be somehow mounting the release handle as it is really not designed to be mounted, but it could be stored under the dash with some bread ties to be removed for access as needed. Will see how all this goes and if it works out as planned.


 
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jfoj

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I had seen that bulletin, it is a bit dated (Dec 2021) as I can confirm at least thru 2024, this same tool and procedure works. While I have not looked closely at the 2025, I beleive they may have a column shifter as I recall seeing one in a picture from the drivers seat. But I have not physically seen, driven or spoken with anyone that has a 2025 model yet.
 

2024 White Tahoe

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I had seen that bulletin, it is a bit dated (Dec 2021) as I can confirm at least thru 2024, this same tool and procedure works. While I have not looked closely at the 2025, I beleive they may have a column shifter as I recall seeing one in a picture from the drivers seat. But I have not physically seen, driven or spoken with anyone that has a 2025 model yet.



The 2025 Tahoe has an electronic, column shift lever. It is awkward, flimsy and not intuitive.

To shift to drive or reverse, you pull the lever toward you, then move it up or down to place the transmission in forward or reverse. To shift into park, you push a silver metal button on the end of the lever, which places the transmission in park and sounds a chime.
 
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jfoj

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Sounds like the 2025 has more of a faux column shifter. An electronic mechanic shifter!

Anyone that has a 2025, sneak under the truck and check to see if the transmission is the same as the 2021-2024, I assume it is. If so, the same cable assembly should work and the same park release hacks should work.
 
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jfoj

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Updated the first post with a few more pictures now that I have installed the Park Release cable in the truck. Routed the cable under the hood for now and still need to sort out a good way to keep the parking brake from coming on without disconnecting cables on the rear calipers. I have some ideas, just need to test them out.
 
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jfoj

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Cleared trans codes with basic OBDII tool today. Too cold to fool around much for a few days. Next plan is to bypass auto Parking Brake engagement.
 
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jfoj

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Still trying to sort out using the transfer case Neutral function. While this is an option for the owners of 4 Wheel Drive vehicles, it initially appears it requires the engine to be running to use this feature, still trying different variations of what works and what does not work.

So my initial testing indicates that if you have a non running engine, you have no options for Neutral unless you manually override the parking pawl using the shaft on the side of the transmission.

This is why I purchased and permeantely installed the Park Release Tool, nothing more frustrating than not being able to put a vehicle in Neutral without too much effort safely. Still need to sort out a complete procedure for using the Park Release Tool because the Parking Brake get enabled if there is power available.

More to follow.
 

man n black

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What does the manual say?

I ask bc when we were looking at 2023s one of the reasons we were looking is so that we could tow it behind our Motorcoach.

Manual at the time if I recall stated this was easily doable by placing the transfer case in neutral, so there must be some mechanism that allows for a neutral transfer case and no parking brake on 4wd models at least.

Since then, on our travels I've seen many 23+ half ton GM SUVs and trucks being flat towed behind coaches and RV's all over the South so it must be doable from the factory.

Ch
 
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jfoj

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It appears you can put the Transfer Case in Neutral, BUT this only if the engine can start and run. I did not indicate the Parking Brake was an issue with the Transfer Case, only when using the manual Park Override that is on the side of the transmission. Enabling the Parking Brake when using the shaft of the side of the transmission is to try to eliminate liability of someone gets rolled over by the vehicle while under the vehicle. So you should be able to flat tow the truck IF the truck starts and runs. If the engine does not start then it does not seem you can change the transfer case setting, either from in gear or out of neutral.

The issue with the parking brake is when the manual park override is used on the side of the transmission. While you can unplug the cables on the rear calipers, I believe there may be a few other options that I need to test and verify.
 
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jfoj

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Or...you could just chock the wheels?

Ch
True, BUT GM decided to enable the parking brake if the manual Park Overide is used. While it is not instantious, you can hear the parking brake motors when you manually release the parking pawl.

Obvious options are to either disconnect the battery or unplug the connectors on the rear calipers for the electric parking brake. But there may be some other options as well, I need to look into these and confirm as I want a clear and easy procedure if I ever need to move the vehicle or have it towed. Dragging the vehicle up on a rollback with the vehicle in park it probably not the best thing for the truck.

Why GM did not inclue the ability to release the parking pawl from the drivers seat is beyond me, probably a $$$ issue, but with the price if these trucks there should have been a way to put the transmission in Neutral if the engine was not running without climbing under the vehicle. This just puts more liability on GM when someone has to crawl under the vehicle.
 

GMCChevy

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They only mention parking brake in the manual with the transfer case neutral because a lot of people wouldn't think about park no longer working when the druvetrain is disconnected like that until it starts rolling.

You'd think they would have built in a safe way of shifting out of park from inside with the electronic shifter even if it's hidden behind an access panel in the console. That's what other makes do in that situation.
 

jeffshu

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Any updates? I had my tahoe towed because of bad fuel pump and although they released the trans to neutral, the brake engaged when you attempted to roll it. They had to use dollies per the sb above
 
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jfoj

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@jeffshu

Life has taken over a bit so I have not been able to determine the EASIEST way to disable the Electric Parking Brakes.

2 options are the follow:

Disconnect the battery

Climb under the vehicle and unplug the electrical connector on each caliper for the Electric Parking brake

I was hoping there was a fuse for the Electric Parking brake that could be pulled, initial research did not show a specific fuse for the Electric Parking brake, but I have not spent a lot of time researching this.

I was hopeful there was a fuse for the Transmission Control Module, but the one fuse labeled TCM was noted as the Telematics Control Module, which would be the OnStar system. I am now thinking either the ECM fuse or Powertrain relay would be an option other than disconnecting the battery or crawling under the rear of the car to disconnect the connectors on the rear calipers.

I believe the ECM fuse #86 or Powertrain relay #77 could be a possible source to pull and disable the Electric Parking Brakes, but I have not had time to experiment with either of these options. If I get a chance to test this, I will update this thread. I usually also print up a fuse diagram with notes and highlight or circle the fuse or relay that needs to be pulled and leave it inside the fuse box for a reference so I know exactly what to do or can tell someone to look in the fuse box for the document so they can perform the task if I am not in the vehicle.

Also note if you use the manual Parking release the Check Engine Light will pop up with some transmission related codes, not a major issue, just something to be aware of. Disconnecting the battery before manually releasing the parking mechanism in the transmission would probably eliminate this or hopefully pulling the ECM fuse #86 or Powertrain relay #77 would also eliminate this as a problem.

Things to think about!!
 

PsyZek

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I have a 2022 w/ 45k and I had the parking brake refuse to release the other day.

I'm in MD and it was in the upper 20s. It was dry and the vehicle had been parked in my garage undriven for four days. I drove to the store, went to leave, and I had an CEL, plus some transmission codes and the EPB wouldnt release. I called the dealer and they recommended rocking back and forth, and/or trying a battery disconnect.

The disconnect worked, un-did the ground and waited about five.
 
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jfoj

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@PsyZek,

Suggest you replace the battery. While you have a 2022 model, a good chance depending on the truck build date the battery would produced sometime in 2021. Understand the original battery will always be older than the vehicle based on the build date. Once the temps drop the battery capacity also drops, so a weak battery in the Winter will suffer and have less available output.

Chances are the EPB would not release due more to the transmission related codes than anything?? Did you try the EPB button on the dash or did you expect the EPB to release automatically when you went to move the vehicle? With transmission related coded the vehicle may not have attempted to move as well?

Also my thread here is based on a transmission manual Park release, if I do not disable the parking brake or disconnect the battery before pulling the transmission manual Park release, the vehicle will automatically engage the EPB to keep the truck from rolling.
 

PsyZek

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I tried the auto-release just by going into park/reverse, then tried the EPB button on the dash, no dice.

Yeah, cold batter that's been sitting for a few days likely the culprit.

Codes were gone with the battery disconnect and hasn't acted up since, but I've been careful not to use the parking brake (turning it off if I see it turn itself on).
 
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Get your battery tested and replace as most likely it is a problem.
 

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