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[Varche]

Anyone else had this? It is quite disconcerting when it happens. I find a few deep breaths and a silent prayer does the trick and out of P it comes.

I don't take chances now and have changed a lifetime of parking up in P, instead I use that funny lever thing and leave it in Neutral.

Is it a sign of bad things to come or just needing a cable adjusting?

olive

[Marks DTM Calib]

What year is it....does it have the park lock function....

[MaxV6]

there's a safety interlock that is supposed to make sure you have your foot on the brake before you change out of Park.

if you pop the selector lever gaiter off the centre console base, and just pull it up a bit... , you should be able to see yellow plastic switch on one side , that's connected by a small rod to a servo. (not sure if you're left or right hand drive and whether there's any difference between them....   so not saying for sure which side it's on...   on my right hand drive one, it's on the left, on the side away from me. )

if the servo isn't pushing the switch hard enough, it won't let you disengage from park...  it's easy to just push it forward yourself when it sticks.

as to a proper fix....  i'm not sure, I want to try changing my gearbox fluid and filter first, and see if it makes any difference... after that i'll probably get another servo and see if it's simply the servo gone weak...   but i think in my case it's the interlock switch sticking....

it might also be related to adjustment or wear in the brake light switch, as it's this that disengages the interlock and operates the servo...

[Varche]

Sorry It is a Nov 97 , pre face lift model. If it has some form of Park Lock function I have never seen it!! What does it look like and where does it live?

olive

[Elite Pete]

With the car in park and the engine running if you press the brake pedal you can normally hear the lock click

[MaxV6]

the click is the servo actuating.....  the lock itself is almost silent.... or at least, it is in mine anyway...  

[Andy B]

.....
Is it a sign of bad things to come or just needing a cable adjusting?

olive

You need a new brake light switch, it's a bugger when you've put it in Park at the lights and it won't move when the lights change - been there... done that.

[MaxV6]

note, a brake light switch replacement only SOMETIMES cures it...

but it's fairly cheap and easy to do....  

a gearbox fluid change is also an occasional fix.... and between the two of them, that probably amounts to 9 out of ten instances...

so it's worth a shot before getting more serious

[Varche]

Thanks , I'll have a look when I get some time.

[irratic]

i had the same problem, changed the brake light switch and now its cured

[MaxV6]

I should add that I had a new switch fitted....   and it didn't solve the problem on my meega

[Andy B]

I should add that I had a new switch fitted....   and it didn't solve the problem on my meega

You adjust your new switch correctly on the ratchet? I initially 'lost' my cruise with my new switch, but found it again after I'd adjusted it properly.
Or it could be the actuall solenoid that's goosed.