NO SHIFT, SHERLOCK

[NBSTAHOE]

I have 2002 Tahoe LT. 5.3.

I just replaced the steering column. And used my original key and cylinder. The thing won’t shift. I used my OG steering column solenoid. Nothing. I have brake lights. Still no shift. It cranks and runs but no shift. The shifter won’t move at all. Only flicks back and forth just stuck in park. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[adventurenali92]

I’ve had my the shift cable that connects the handle at the column, to the shift linkage on the transmission itself fail three times since July. It does exactly what you’re describing when it fails. I feel a snap and then the gear handle moves up and down but doesn’t shift the trans. Not saying yours did, but the symptom is the same. The last time it failed a few weeks ago, the little black plastic collar type thing, on the cable where the top end of the cable that connects at the steering column, goes into the bracket just behind the shift lock solenoid, the little flaps that expand and hold it into the bracket broke and as a result there was no tension in the cable for it to shift. I would go back into your column and make sure that that little plastic collar on the cable is properly secured into the bracket, with the little u shaped clip that holds it to the bracket is properly reinstalled, and make sure that the end of the cable with the grommet is securely attached to the linkage for the shift handle. Couldn’t imagine that there would be any issues with the other end of the cable grommet at the trans shift linkage, and the same little collared clip that sides into the bracket on that end but I’d double check those as well at the trans to make sure they’re still secured.

 

[Fless]

I believe that @adventurenali92 is talking about the clip shown in the link's video (and see the prior posts in that thread).

He shows the removal of the clip starting at about 3:00.

Mystery Part - SOLVED

I pulled my BCM today to check the connectors, and as I pulled it out of the holder this metal u-shaped piece dropped down. It's less than an inch long. I could not find any place that it would go, so does anyone know what it might be? I'm thinking it was dropped when someone worked on the...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[NBSTAHOE]

I’ve had my the shift cable that connects the handle at the column, to the shift linkage on the transmission itself fail three times since July. It does exactly what you’re describing when it fails. I feel a snap and then the gear handle moves up and down but doesn’t shift the trans. Not saying yours did, but the symptom is the same. The last time it failed a few weeks ago, the little black plastic collar type thing, on the cable where the top end of the cable that connects at the steering column, goes into the bracket just behind the shift lock solenoid, the little flaps that expand and hold it into the bracket broke and as a result there was no tension in the cable for it to shift. I would go back into your column and make sure that that little plastic collar on the cable is properly secured into the bracket, with the little u shaped clip that holds it to the bracket is properly reinstalled, and make sure that the end of the cable with the grommet is securely attached to the linkage for the shift handle. Couldn’t imagine that there would be any issues with the other end of the cable grommet at the trans shift linkage, and the same little collared clip that sides into the bracket on that end but I’d double check those as well at the trans to make sure they’re still secured.

Thanks for responding. I don’t remember putting that clip back in. But would that clip itself keep my shifter from moving out of park? Like it’s crazy I’ve checked everything but that clip and the trans linkage. I’ll give it a look in the am.

 

[NBSTAHOE]

I believe that @adventurenali92 is talking about the clip shown in the link's video (and see the prior posts in that thread).

He shows the removal of the clip starting at about 3:00.

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...that could be the issue. Thanks for replying.

http://

 

[adventurenali92]

Thanks for responding. I don’t remember putting that clip back in. But would that clip itself keep my shifter from moving out of park? Like it’s crazy I’ve checked everything but that clip and the trans linkage. I’ll give it a look in the am.

Yes. If that round black clip can slide out of the bracket there will be no tension in the cable.

 

[adventurenali92]

I’ll take a photo of that piece in a bit when I get home and you’ll see the little flaps that lock it into the bracket.

 

[adventurenali92]

This little piece right here is what slides into the bracket under the column at the shift linkage and the locking tabs on either side expand and hold it into the bracket. Then the little metal u shaped clip slides into the slots behind the tab. This is my cable that broke, the first photo shows one side of the locking tab broken off and the second photo shows the tab intact. If those tabs aren’t locked into place along with u shaped clip securing it in, and the whole thing can slide in or out of the bracket, thats why the shift handle won’t actually move the linkage to shift int gear.

 

[NBSTAHOE]

This little piece right here is what slides into the bracket under the column at the shift linkage and the locking tabs on either side expand and hold it into the bracket. Then the little metal u shaped clip slides into the slots behind the tab. This is my cable that broke, the first photo shows one side of the locking tab broken off and the second photo shows the tab intact. If those tabs aren’t locked into place along with u shaped clip securing it in, and the whole thing can slide in or out of the bracket, thats why the shift handle won’t actually move the linkage to shift int gear.

I have this connected correctly. I just don’t have the retainer clip in. But the shifter won’t move in or out of the truck. So the shifter was stuck before I got to this step. I figured that maybe it was because it needed tension to move. But that’s not the case. It’s like the shifter is just jammed into park. The shifter will however move back and forth. The indicator says I’m in “P”. Smh. Can a shifter just be stuck?

 

[adventurenali92]

I have this connected correctly. I just don’t have the retainer clip in. But the shifter won’t move in or out of the truck. So the shifter was stuck before I got to this step. I figured that maybe it was because it needed tension to move. But that’s not the case. It’s like the shifter is just jammed into park. The shifter will however move back and forth. The indicator says I’m in “P”. Smh. Can a shifter just be stuck?

Did you check the opposite end at the trans just to be sure? It does need to be under tension to pull the linkage at the trans from park.

If the shift cables are all installed properly and have tension then my next guess would be an issue with the shift lock solenoid. Did you replace that with the one from the replacement column or did you swap the one from your existing column to the replacement column? If the replacement column had the shift lock solenoid on it and it’s faulty, it could be preventing you from shifting out of park. Maybe swapping the solenoid from your original column over?

 

[NBSTAHOE]

Did you check the opposite end at the trans just to be sure? It does need to be under tension to pull the linkage at the trans from park.

If the shift cables are all installed properly and have tension then my next guess would be an issue with the shift lock solenoid. Did you replace that with the one from the replacement column or did you swap the one from your existing column to the replacement column? If the replacement column had the shift lock solenoid on it and it’s faulty, it could be preventing you from shifting out of park. Maybe swapping the solenoid from your original column over?

I swapped my OG Lock cylinder and solenoid to the replacement Steering column. The truck was backed up with the OG parts. It hasn’t been moved since it was parked for the steering column repair.
Went to the junkyard bought a replacement column. Installed it. Connected everything as it should. Shifter won’t shift out of park. The linkage should still be intact. Haven’t driven the truck any. I have break lights.

 

[LsHart]

I have a dumb question! Brake switch get unplugged or broke? That switch must go open circuit.

 

[NBSTAHOE]

I have a dumb question! Brake switch get unplugged or broke? That switch must go open circuit.

No. Everything is plugged as it should be.

 

[NBSTAHOE]

I got under the truck today. And looked at the linkage. It’s all good. Could manually shift the trans. Got back in the cabin, and disconnected the Shifter and mechanism. Disconnected the shift solenoid. Disconnected the linkage. And could manually shift the linkage while the truck was on. So I got my existing shifter and bolted it on to the replacement. IT GOT JAMMED! So now I’m confused what is causing the shifters to not work on this column???

 

[adventurenali92]

Well that’s not ideal…. I don’t have an answer, but out of curiosity what prompted you to replace the steering column?

 

[NBSTAHOE]

Well that’s not ideal…. I don’t have an answer, but out of curiosity what prompted you to replace the steering column?

Truck was ran in a ditch when I bought it. Airbag deployed. No frame damage just the front clip…and steering column was a bit janky. $500.

 

[adventurenali92]

Ah ok makes sense.

 

[RET423]

I think what your saying is the physical shift arm on the column won't move out of park, some of the responses seem to think your problem is that you can move the shift arm but the transmission doesn't respond

If I'm correct & the issue is they physical arm on the column won't move out of park, the problem is likely that the lock which keeps it in park until the brake is applied is not getting the brake light signal when you step on the brake

All vehicles since at least the 90's have that safety feature whether column shift or floor shift automatics, the shifter will not move out of the park position until the brake is pressed; I think yours is not getting that signal when the brake is pressed so the safety lock won't release the shifter handle

 

[NBSTAHOE]

I think what your saying is the physical shift arm on the column won't move out of park, some of the responses seem to think your problem is that you can move the shift arm but the transmission doesn't respond

If I'm correct & the issue is they physical arm on the column won't move out of park, the problem is likely that the lock which keeps it in park until the brake is applied is not getting the brake light signal when you step on the brake

All vehicles since at least the 90's have that safety feature whether column shift or floor shift automatics, the shifter will not move out of the park position until the brake is pressed; I think yours is not getting that signal when the brake is pressed so the safety lock won't release the shifter handle

Right. I bought a shift solenoid will install it this weekend to see if it fixes the arm not moving. But I do have brake lights. So I figured it was safe to assume that it wasn’t that. But thanks for your input. The truck is a mess. Smh.

 

[Fless]

You can find wiring diagrams on www.charm.li. Be persistent and adventuresome when/if you get on there.