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

[jfoj]

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.

 

[man n black]

Or...you could just chock the wheels?

Ch

 

[jfoj]

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]

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]

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

 

[jfoj]

@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!!