2nd Gen Chevy Volt Shifter Replacement - Shift To Park Issue Solved.

[@ctek4life]

I just finished this procedure on 11/3/2024, although I just replaced the parts according to NHTSA 19-NA-206 instead of replacing the whole shifter assembly. While I understand that its only $40 more expensive, I felt replacing the components were the easiest part. A couple of notes that will maybe help others. You don't need to remove either of the side panels, there are other videos that show this, but you really only need to remove the shifter boot, top and top trim. For me the shifter mechanism would not push backwards. I had to wrap a strap around the front of the shifter and pull the whole unit back as hard as I could to get it to finally move backwards, so that it could be removed. Even during reinstall my shifter seems to fit quite tightly into the base. I added some grease so next time it might be easier. If this ever fails, I think I'll just but an Omron D2HW-BL221H and just solder it in with the bonus that you don't have to pull out the shifter.

[@sartorius73]

Great video. I used this guide to replace my shifter housing today. The local dealer said it would take 2-3 days to even look at it, despite making an appointment. It took about 40 minutes, not including a trip to Harbor Freight to pick up the upholstery trim tools. Even though this would still be covered under the Voltec warranty, it was worth it to get it finished and not leave the car.

[@woodrow7201]

Really nice job. Thank you for the leads and tools. Well done. Easy to follow.

[@jimthompson7035]

This was a great video, helped me save 400 for labor at the Chevy dealership. It only took 1 hour when they stated it was 2 hours labor. I lost the washer. I did find that there are 4 pins that hold the shifter in after you take the bolt out, just pull it towards you then up. Thank you again

[@kurtgramoll5542]

Watched your great video on new truck camper solar panels (I own a truck camper) and was pleasantly surprised to see your fix on shift-to-park problem for Volts. I have a 2017 2nd gen Volt and recently experienced this issue. Thanks for the very good demo how to replace it! You have saved me hours of frustration.

[@covetthecamper2289]

Great! So happy to hear that it has helped.

[@johna6448]

Thanks for the excellent video. I did mine today. I was able to get the part from a nearby dealer for $70. 😂. This also gave me the opportunity to replace the parking brake switch which had peeling black paint. I guess after 205k miles I can't complain.

[@oreganizer]

Thanks for the video. After following your video steps meticulously, i just have 2 suggestions. 1) when removing the second 10mm bolt passenger side (the one with the fancy bolt attached), keep the bolt end (driver side) secured in place otherwise both ends spin around with the ratchet turns but the bolt driver side needs to stop rotating for the bolt passenger side to be removed. Obviously people will figure this out eventually but might save some people 5 minutes. 2) your fancy tool is nice and all, but I used the strong end of a thin butterknife (something like the dollar store would have) to remove the linkage. And I did this while still in park (not needing to put it in neutral). Worked perfectly zero issues. I had my shift to park cause my car to be towed 3 times even after 2 shifter replacements at the dealer. Now that my 2016 gen2 is no longer under warranty I have all the reasons in the world to DIY. Hope this video plus comments encourage others to DIY their own fix. Sometimes that’s the only way to do this right. Like the guy says at the beginning, the fix is replacement. Harness changes are workarounds. I can attest to that as I had my car towed 2 months after they looked into the Shift to park issue. Because it happens intermittently and unpredictably. It cannot be diagnosed very well and i’m of the belief that replacement is the only good way to resolve the issue.

[@ddk1972]

Thank you so much! I lived with the shift to park error for several years now on my 2016 Volt. Today I couldn’t shut off the car. I went to the stealership and overpaid for the shifter assembly ($133), but I needed it so I had no choice. Thanks to your video it only took me about 40 min for the actual job. Good as new now. Hopefully, it’ll last for 100k more miles.

[@buckwilson4167]

I’m amazed it even still has a shift cable. Figured it’d be electronic. Thanks for the vid. Have a 2017 that’s at 99,890 miles… just starting to show occasional signs of this common failure. Definitely something I can tackle

[@covetthecamper2289]

👍🏻. Yep, pretty easy job to you yourself and save money

[@vanbosman8058]

Just completed this...just a few thoughts. You just twist and pull up on shift knob and it comes off without messing with the retainer ring. You can remove the bolt with a quarter inch drive ratchet and 10 mill without removing the side filler panels. Total replacement time was 20 minutes.

[@HelpfuliTguy]

Super helpful video, is that the BECM that is apart of the shifter? I have that same problem and the car is bricked from moving but everything turns on. Wondering if you think this'll help. Thanks!

[@brettsherman7810]

Thanks so much. Successfully replaced my shifter. My shifter took A LOT more force to get out. I almost thought there had to be a catch somewhere. Turns out they used some sort of sticky substance on the bottom of the part, I guess to keep it place better? I had to brace my feet against foot wall and pull back from the front of the part to get enough leverage to move it. It’s also back and then up. Not up and back as you state in the video.

[@covetthecamper2289]

Nice. Thanks for the feedback. Mine is still working perfectly.

[@johna6448]

I had a similar experience. My 2017 shifter was very snug side-to-side. I found after wiggling it side-to-side. I was finally able to lift & pull. There are L-shaped slots which hold the assembly.

[@getreal3336]

Thanks for this awesome video. I'll be referring back to it next week when my control assembly arrives.

[@rickandersen8632]

Thank you for the very informative video. I was able to take it apart and find the problem.

[@kenyoung4222]

FYI, I have started having the "shift to park" issue with my 2019 Volt. Per GM's technical bulletin 19-NA-206 this is covered under the Voltec Component Warranty specifically for the Volt (see page 8 of the bulletin). I contacted GM and they agreed this was covered under the Voltec Warranty and set me up with an authorized GM service center to repair the issue at no charge. After taking time off work and driving to another city to get the work done and waiting for almost three hours, I was then told that GM refused to cover the repair under warranty. I then contacted GM with the Case Number they had assigned and was told that the GM representative that set this up gave me incorrect information and no longer worked for GM and they refused to honor the promise to repair or offer reimbursement for my time and expense. They stated they did not have access to the GM Technical Bulletins and were under no obligation to honor the warranty that was explicitly stated in the bulletin.

[@brianlee5584]

Yup, same thing happened to me. I printed out the service bulletin and brought it to the dealer to show them proof it was covered. However, they were adamant that GM won’t cover this under the warranty and said they don’t care what that service bulletin says. They wanted to charge me almost $700 total to replace the shifter. I said no thanks and left. I then bought that micro switch and found a local mechanic to install that for about $300. I wasn’t too confident on installing that micro switch myself. Thinking back, maybe I should’ve bought the whole shifter and had the mechanic replace that cause the labor cost would probably be a lot cheaper.

[@kenyoung4222]

I think you are right about it being easier to replace the shifter. I just ordered one out the door for less than $85 and will replace it myself. Will let you know how it goes.@@brianlee5584

[@Michael-bh9ss]

​@@kenyoung4222let me know too! I'm more worried about breaking plastic tbh!

[@Michael-bh9ss]

Any issues since replacing it? I assume since the whole assembly was replace the solonoid that was giving a high voltage spike is replaced too? I might go ahead and spend the 100$ to keep this part in the back for a just in case.

[@mswlogo1]

Wow. Awesome video. Thanks so much.

[@julianelischer6961]

See the video on the same fix for the malibu and the other one for the Volt .. just need to replace the microswitch.

[@covetthecamper2289]

Yeah, I’ve seen those. I mentioned that in the video. I did this because the part was inexpensive and it’s much easier.

[@julianelischer6961]

@@covetthecamper2289 the fix is under the Voltec powertrain warrantee, Just had mine. done on Friday for free (Also watched the tech and discovered how to make the oil warming message go away and set it back to 100% (my '18 volt has only done 300 gas miles since last change and it was already down to 50%).. The warrantee point is mentioned in the GM service bulletin about the problem, on the last page. It's service bulletin 19-NA/206 and covers the same issue on all GM cars with tht shifter mechanism in the console. static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10166630-9999.pdf. see page 8 top right. Hope that helps someone in the future

[@thomasdipaolo2349]

You replaced the prius?

[@covetthecamper2289]

Nope. Still have the Prius. This is my what my wife drives.