Chevy Impala Monte Carlo Buick Pontiac - Won't Shift Out Of Park - Key Stuck In Ignition - FIXED

Not being able to shift out of park is easy to override with a long, flat-head screwdriver. This video shows you how, as well as how to fix the problem permanently and inexpensively.
Over time, the wires that connect to the automatic transmission shifter can break. This results in one or more of the following symptoms, depending on which wire is disconnected:
1. The car will not shift out of park.
2. The key will not release from the ignition.
Remove the center console to determine if one of your wires is broken or disconnected from the clip. If so, this fix should work well for you.
Permanent repair requires:
1. ACDelco Part Number PT3923 / GM Part Number 13583923 (on Amazon amzn.to/2Wn14Cc)
2. Phillips Screwdriver
3. Wire Strippers/Cutters
4. Crimper
5. Heat Gun or Electrical Tape to Wrap Butt Connectors
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@halfblackhalfamasian]

HUGE thank you for posting this video!!! I was on my way to see my mother for Mother's Day when this happened to me. Thanks to your video, I was able to diagnose this issue and fix it. It turned out my black wire was broken too. I ordered the same wiring harness. except for the POS wire stripper/crimper I got from Advance Auto (don't buy the red handle Auto Craft stripper/crimper that comes in a box with butt connectors and other connectors. Had to use 18 to cut 14 gauge wire. The 20-22 was still too big to cut 18 gauge.) I ended up using a box cutter on the existing wire. But anyway, thanks to this video, I'm back in business. I owe you one of those beers! Much thanks!

[@marlonkannon9986]

I know I'm kind of off topic but does anyone know a good place to watch newly released movies online ?

[@jaysonmiguel2078]

@Marlon Kannon I watch on Flixportal. Just search on google for it =)

[@marlonkannon9986]

@Jayson Miguel thank you, signed up and it seems like a nice service =) I appreciate it !

[@jaysonmiguel2078]

@Marlon Kannon happy to help xD

[@bobbyd6680]

Found this video today to help my grandson. Key stuck in the ignition switch, and shift knob stuck in park. This problem can also occur with a dead battery, which turned out to be our case. His car had been sitting about 4 months and we needed to move the car for jumper cables to reach. Learning about that pin on the side of the shifter assembly under the trim panel was all I needed. The key released once I got the car started. Not a harness problem in our case thank god.

[@ricstark8531]

My wife was stopped at a RR crossing and put her 2008 Impala in park, then found herself stuck with this exact problem. She called me in a panic. While I was on the train coming home, I found this video on KZbin. Called my daughter to get my longest screwdriver and meet me at my wife's car. Did the quick fix with the release button you showed to get her home, then made the permanent repair 2 days later with a $20 part instead of paying for a $50 tow and a $500 repair. Thank you!

[@dariwn8413]

That's ironic

[@donruggles1583]

Woulda been pretty interesting if u were on train she waited for. 😂

[@olsonry3]

Big thanks, Sir! You'd think that since 23k people had to watch THIS video, Chevy would issue a recall... Glad i could do it myself and save money for beer!

[@carnage2332]

+Ryan olson Unfortunately it isn't so much a manufacturer error as it is just a wear and tear from use type of malfunction. I just wish the manual release was easier to access, so that when this problem occurs people didn't have to go to the internet to figure it out.

[@Rkast14]

Stuck 8 hours from home on vacation and watched this. Big help getting me home, much appreciated

[@TheTechnoMack]

So happy to be able to assist

[@amatelk956]

this problem came up last week on my wife's 06 Monte Carlo. what a common problem for these model cars ! Especially as they get up in years , change of climate, the piss poor gauge of the wires, and the fact that the wires travel back and forth within the console . I ended up soldering the wires cos the leads coming from the vehicle wire so small and gauge so thin I had a hard time crimping ! Thanks so much for taking the time and explaining and posting this for all us GM owners ! Wish me Luck...

[@MykholDotson]

Replaced the wiring in my car using this vid for reference , did it in 45 min or less and I’ve never done anything more than changing a tire on my car prior to this ! Super easy great instructions and everything work perfectly after ! Thank you !

[@TheTechnoMack]

Nice work Man. Happy to help!

[@aj-ig6mg]

Holy shit thank you! Got off work today(Friday) and stopped to get a case of beer and when I went to leave the store my car wouldn't shift. The manual override got me home and the rest of the video will help as well. But for now...time for a cold one.

[@TheTechnoMack]

Happy to help. Good luck with the harness replacement.

[@austenvalentine7828]

Thank you for this video. It was very easy to follow and worked perfectly once replaced. Also, thanks for putting the part number in the description. When I called O'Reilly, they said there was no harness number, but I gave them the one in the description and they pulled it right up. Thanks again!!!

[@bpwood17]

Thank you for this video! I had the exact same problem and didn't have a clue where to begin. Being stuck at work in the middle of the night, I was so glad to find this video and be able to get home. I was able to fix it quickly once I watched you go through the process. Once again thank you for posting this.

[@TheTechnoMack]

+bpwood17 That's awesome! I'm glad it helped you out in a bind!

[@eduardoruiz6482]

Thank you so much. My car got stuck on shift on christmas eve and hanks to your video i was able to get it fixed and go see the rest of the family. Thank you once again.

[@TheTechnoMack]

Thank you for letting me know. This makes my Christmas Day!

[@pdaw13]

Common problem & this is best, most detailed video. Showing the wire colors clearly was really helpful as the one I worked on today had been “fixed” sometime before we bought and no crimp connectors were used. Less than an hour& under$25!

[@karenwoods1061]

You are the man!!! I was stuck at a restaurant and your quick fix got me home. I'm off to buy the part and hopefully get it fixed right! I'm all about saving $400!!! Thanks SO much!

[@dwaynes5983]

Nice video. Thank you mine shift just got locked. Word of caution always leave wires long. Never know when you need the length. I'm a electrical technician so I work with wires all the time.

[@oworina]

Thanks so much. This happened to me last night at a train crossing. I put it in park til the train went by then I couldnt move it. Luckily a guy with tools stopped to help and got the console cover off before the sheriff got there. Cop called for a tow, I got on google and discovered the little silver button and released it before having to pay for the tow. Now you just saved me a buttload more money. Thanks again!! (Beer is required in Minnesota too)

[@Mjade3]

Thank for taking the time on making this fix! Saved my husband and I a lot of money.

[@unaarce6078]

I used your video, it helped me so much. Thank you! I didn't want to pay so much money! In facted it was a wire that was disconnected!😊

[@HankGoodness]

Thanks so much for this excellent video. My car had 3 out of 4 of the wires broken from inside the harness with only the yellow wire still connected. Never would have figured this out without your precise video. THANK YOU!!

[@BruceWayne-mb4hk]

Thumbs up from me. Purple wire was broke and apparently you need that wire to turn key to full off position. This video walked me right through the repair. Thanks!

[@stinman46]

thanks this is old, I'm about to go on this journey! I believe I will give myself about 1 inch more room on the wires. I believe you cut them to short, but without watching you I would never of seen how to get started. Took my 2007 impala in today for the ignition recall,thought that would fix key being stuck in ignition after I turn car off! It don't! You have to take a small flat head, kind of long and stick it in the pull out lid right below the ignition switch and push a little bronze looking button in and key will turn back to off position to take it out. The Dealership Jeff Wylers on Dixie Highway said $450 to fix it, what you are doing! Thanks for showing us dudes with a bit of mechanical knowledge and some balls that we can fix it. I still will give myself a bit more length on my old wires I cut off. Thanks again!

[@michaelphilipward4660]

Thanks very much. This was very helpful. In my case, the black wire was slippling out of the harness. I pushed the wire back in, melted a tiny dab of solder into the hole to secure the connection and everything is fine again. 2010 Impala.

[@brendabartlett2040]

Thanks, I am over service at used car dealer. My customer called in stranded 35 miles away. I watched your video and she is on her way to me for repairs and we are both females. You explained this very well.

[@erickincaid7728]

Thanks, dude. Fixed my wife's car with your help tonight. Peace!

[@user-rq9qx2eq3h]

Same thing happened this morning to me. After I pulled the console apart I seen the override looked up a video and got yours now I ordered a harness from amazon for 20 bucks and will fix the problem. THANKS

[@TheTechnoMack]

+Logan Schuenke Happy to help. Good luck with the repair work!

[@robbybrowning6306]

This just happened to me wats the name of the part

[@craighatch3221]

Good old American car electrical system, it’s not if they go out but when! Thanks for your video, well done 👍🏻

[@zach9977]

Thank goodness for this video. I just had a problem with my key getting stuck in the ignition and your video was the most informative since it walked through fixing the actual wires.

[@TheTechnoMack]

So happy to help!

[@josephblock2127]

I was stuck in my garage about to be late for class when my shifter locked up, and I was able to release my shifter in a pinch due to your video. Thank you SO much!

[@tatyonatownsel]

I really think u just solved my problem that has cause so many inconviences for about 3 months now ... So thankful. Thank you

[@Eighty5iveProd]

Did u ever fix ur issue? I'm having the same problem

[@wolfman145]

Just had this happen to my impala today. Found on a thread that underneath the small cover under the ignition key there is a manual release for the key as well. Its harder to see but I've been getting it with a flathead to unlock my key until my new harness arrives. Thanks for the video!!

[@susangraves2]

I've had to use the manual key release for a looooooooong time, and didn't know the problem was connected to the shifter issue until yesterday! I'm hoping when the part comes in, it will fix both issues!

[@chriswils7535]

I just wanted to say thank you for your video. had same problem last night and with your help in saved a tow and repair costs Thank you very much

[@chriswils7535]

and it worked

[@GPski]

Amazing video , saved me a bundle from the stealership, they actually added 40% to the list price of my connector cause I'm a do it yourselfer. Only in Canada ? still they lost a bundle and my good will.... Thanks !!

[@random_Ratatouille]

I am so happy to have found this video! I was able to at least get my car home. I am ordering the parts and am going to fix this myself!

[@jamesa7135]

Thank you for your video and i am really glad you did the close up on the wire because 2 of mine were pulled out by the time i was done.Plus i'm thinking the thumbs down'e were from the mechanic's who would of CHARGE me for the repair.

[@FamasXFreak]

I'm about to fix this issue on my car tomorrow, thank you for making an extensive video about it.

[@chuckwilliams5332]

Thank you for this video, it helped me fix our Impala tonight. Problem solved for $20!

[@virianbouze6854]

You did a great job! When you describe a subject, It will help, if you use the correct vernacular, when describing your subject. It would make it easier to stay on subject, if you have a soldering gun to secure your wires, it makes it faster, when you cut wires always cover the ends not used with tape, you can never tell, if something can come in contact with something you can see after you close your job. One thing to keep in mind, use color tape or marker to identify the repaired wires, that were replaced, yours was in an easy location, Make sure your new wires match the same color wire, you are repairing,some might be in an area not so easy to identify the wire change. Always secure your wires with tie raps to prevent movement. yes in your area, a beer helps. Again you did a great job, and it works. good job keep up the good work. I am in California. an Author, inventor and race car builder. Thanks

[@66mustangguymoreau36]

Thanks for the video, it works! Used spade connectors and tape on mine. Also, I left the wiring a little long since there is some foam on the inside of the center console so no chance for chafing. The best way is to solder and heat shrink(stronger than the wire itself). I don't like(hate) butt connectors, especially the type that are too big for the wires- they almost always come loose eventually. Cheers

[@chetyoder]

Thanks for the vid dude, your vid helped me fix a gals car in about 20 min. and she ain't got much for money

[@ShelbysGT]

Beer is required lmfaoo 😂. Nailed it bro

[@TheTechnoMack]

🍻

[@michaelgeiger9058]

Had this happen to me after work tonight...LUCKILY the same thing happened to my supervisor a year ago ... He's the one that told me about the button in the council....I will tackle the fix tomorrow or this weekend...Thanks for the video...

[@donlewis9369]

Great video. Probably to best I have seen on this subject. May mention that I believe that there is a small screw at the front base of the shifter knob that can be loosened/removed. The knob will then slide off so that the console will come completely off.

[@stevehampton9146]

Hey all issues aside... You fixed the car !!! Great job buddy

[@mea101982]

Thanks for the video you saved me a ton of money . I had issues using the connector pieces that came with it, so I went to o'reiley and got the screw together kind.

[@66mustangguymoreau36]

Don't ever use posi-lock connectors because they are junk

[@docgrit441]

My 2008 Impala got me stuck on a steep hill going into a parking garage. Thankfully I had AAA and had the car towed 75 miles. My Master Shade Tree Auto Repair buddy repaired it for me. In doing research for the fix, I found that GM shorted the wire bundle a few inches (engineers !!!!) and by doing so that's what caused the shifter problem.

[@scottvugteveen2865]

Awesome video! Saved hundreds by not taking it to the dealer 😀

[@danielkern8864]

❤thanks so much for this video me and my kids were just stuck at save a lot and I came across this video and it helped

[@queenpurp834]

Omg this video helped so much!!! I fixed mine by following this video. Thanks so much. Very useful

[@TheTechnoMack]

It makes my day that I was able to help!

[@johnbrawley372]

Thanks for taking time to video the fix

[@bobblankenship3427]

Thank you for the great video! You save us a lot of headaches and money. Again thank so much.

[@TheTechnoMack]

Happy to help!

[@dwaynes5983]

Finally got to mine. Broken wire and somebody did a hack job. Amazon part will be here Friday.

[@jewllake]

Great! If anything, I would have staggered the cuts to avoid all the butt connectors at the same place.

[@slopco]

Thank you! You just saved me a lot of time and money.

[@skipper581]

Thanks for taking the time to post this video.

[@johnburkhart9937]

Love the fix and not the rig. Thanks

[@haider71]

Thank you, bro. You just saved me $650.

[@FranklinEverAfter2020]

My 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo also won't shift out of Park however, it wont start, and the dash reads REVERSE. Will changing to wiring also help with that?

[@neilwilliams8608]

My friends car was flooded from Harvey. I suppose the brake light switch and the electrical connectors in the floor shifter box were damaged. Do you think that's why It's stuck in park? 2002 Nissan Maxima 3.5. 4 door sedan. Awesome video. Thanks a lot.

[@craigschroeder2138]

Thank you for making this video. It worked like a charm on my 2009 impala

[@03Misael21]

great video. just take more time to twist the wires together because it will make the job a lot easier. other than that, great video. I only needed to see how that whole console came out and looks like it's really easy.

[@12garlin]

Thanks to your video I fixed the same problem today

[@sandycrow2399]

Your a rock star thank you so much. Now a lady can do it😅❤

[@poohgottie9295]

Awesome video you just help me a lot I appreciate it💪🏽

[@michaelasmith8154]

dude you just fixed my car yesssss

[@TheTechnoMack]

+Michaela Smith Sweet! Happy to help!

[@lawrencecarroll2031]

FANTASTIC VIDEO!!

[@stevenstewart4541]

Great Vid, I undid my center console just like in the video and low and behold, that exact black wire was broken. the same exact way too, weird! But i cant find the part on ACDelco website. what is the exact name of the part and is there any other place I can find or buy this part from??

[@TheTechnoMack]

ACDelco Part Number PT3923 / GM Part Number 13583923

[@richardkirkpatrick175]

Thanks for the video. Worked like a charm. What a cheap piece of crap the original equipment is.

[@bentleycoupe1539]

Awesome video sir.... Big big help

[@billyboy1621]

Have a 2005 Cavalier that did that once about 4 months ago. The replaced the ignition switch and that fixed it. Today it did it again. Can start the car but cant get it out of park and cant get the key out. Do you know a way to over ride the shift lock to drive it to the dealers to save on a tow.

[@martinjones709]

Thanks this video helped me a lot ! Followed your steps and fixed it easily

[@dominiquejohnson5769]

Excellent video bro definitely know what you doing do you have your own shop

[@Christdeliverme]

On my Grand Prix it's 20 gauge... What did you call this particular harness/connector, I need another one for my Grand Prix. The pins are corroded and broken inside.

[@shavannaacosta3555]

Hey, thank you so much for showing us how to fix this! I am having a different issue, though... I think that when i pulled out the console it might have pulled on other wires that seem to be connected to the power outlets, because all three outlets stopped working. Have you come across this issue at all? Thanks in advance!

[@TheIsuis1]

I know my response is a few years late, lol. But for anyone else, make sure to unplug the 12v harness

[@MathewSyria]

Thank you. My Monte Carlo is doing this and was considering selling it because I thought it was going to be a huge repair bill. My key is getting stuck all the time and takes like 30seconds to 3minutes to get out. Is that the same wiring harness?

[@TheTechnoMack]

Mathew Syria Yes it is. That same wiring harness tells the key when the shifter is in the park position, thus allowing it to be released from the ignition. It sounds like you have an intermittent connection, since it works sometimes. It will probably wear more and break over time, preventing the key from ever being released. In my case, a different wire in the same harness was broken, which prevented the brake pedal from telling the shifter that it was being pressed. Because the shifter didn't think the brake was pressed, it wouldn't shift out of park. Both your and my symptoms are caused by a wire being damaged or disconnected from the wiring harness.

[@bobblankenship3427]

Are any later models equipped with the same electrical connection?

[@yessssirrrrr]

you are a legend bro! this is gonna save me a lot of money

[@abdulmajeedalyazidi2028]

Thank you very much. I just had the same issue and your video helped me to solve it.

[@deputyk9114]

Thank for making the video. It was very helpful

[@firasalmashkoor5623]

Thanks so much. You did very well and that will help.

[@photographermatt]

Did you disconnect the battery before cutting? Our black wire just broke.

[@franceshall3]

Thank for the video!!! I need to fix mines!! What’s that part called again???

[@TheTechnoMack]

They just call it a "Multi-Purpose Pigtail" here: amzn.to/2Wn14Cc Good luck with the repair Frances!

[@treyconway2696]

can you use the same wires and just put them back in the same connector since they just came out or do you have to replace the connector altogether

[@michaelphilipward4660]

Treyc Conway Yes - that's what I did. I pushed the wire back into the connector, and melted a tiny bit of solder into the hole to secure it.

[@jorgemonzon7033]

Thank you for this video, very helpful, God bless you.

[@toddcampbell9067]

Thank you great video , helped solve a problem today :)

[@susangraves2]

Thank you for the nice, clear information!

[@erin19030]

It happened to me at 1 AM in a snow storm. I was miles from home, out in the country. Fucking electronics is a car, never should be. I slept in the car until dawn waiting for help to arrive. The dealer wanted $400 and it was under warranty. I said NO WAY ! Then i figured it out by myself knowing the terrible quality of GM crimp wiring techniques.

[@wildmexican12]

i have both a stuck key and stuck in park unless i disconnected the battery. My car has a easy release tab instead of screw driver method but this sounds like my issue even though different model.

[@earljohnson5632]

Hey thanks so much!!! Great video. Happened to me last nite after midnite cold dark parking lot at work. I was lucky and got it started, but this video was great!! Problem solved!! Thanks for taking the time and effort to help others. Earl

[@mollyhicklin7248]

Is this the same proceedure for a Monte Carlo 2001?

[@MichelleFitchgoomba98]

Ok, so I have the same problem BUT my car won't start...It shut off when I depressed the brake and the key is stuck in the ignition and the car is stuck in gear, why would it have shut down? why won't it start? I have 13.8 volts on the battery, a full charge?? Please help...I hope you are still into doing youtube?? Thanks

[@frankieknox4132]

I had the same problem and I replace the wire harness and now I can shift out of park. But now it doesn't allow me to remove my keys from the ignition. How do I replace the whole purple wire ?

[@whatupguy5685]

their a fuse a rap or rad fuse in the kick panel it's a 10 fuse under rap or rad replace that and your good

[@so_chi_chris]

my key gets stuck in the ignition and you can tell that the battery went dead. the first time it happened i tried to move the neck of the steering wheel to remove the key, but no luck. after a while i hit the lock and unlock button on my key. the electicity came on and the key came out.... same thing happened a few days later. after DAYS of my key being stuck again i come to check on my ride. i seen that the lights and clock was on and my key came out... i wonder if i have a loose wire in my center console?

[@ersl1854]

Could i tape the release button down and drive it like that for a few days? Or does the button need to be released after you shift? Thanks

[@KrushgrooveOG]

I wouldn't do that for fear the car might come out of gear when it is in park. Yes I can use your emergency brake. But I would be very learly of doing that.

[@xx_sm1l3ym3rk_xx7]

What if all my cables are connected? But still won't let me take it out of parking?

[@geozinger1]

I have a 2004 Pontiac Aztek with a similar issue. The key won't come out of the ignition. I can start and drive the car just fine. When I go to get out, the key won't come out. My friend showed me a hole in the bottom of the steering column where I could stick a small screwdriver in and get the key to release. Is this related to the wiring harness being discussed in this video?

[@TheTechnoMack]

George Denzinger Although your problem sounds very similar, and both vehicles are made by GM, I wouldn't trust that the same wiring harness fix would work for your Aztek. You could try to take it apart and look for a broken/disconnected wire. I just googled around a bit and found a guy saying that the whole shifter needs to be replaced to fix that on the Aztek. answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100218060407AAIlE7p I can't really be sure since I'm unfamiliar with that vehicle.

[@thomascarter7167]

You’re a hero.

[@michaelthiem269]

I bought a new part and spliced the wires together. But i still can't take my key out. I didn't cut my the new connector wires shorter. Do you think this would have affected the connection?

[@chazly30]

I have the same problem. Do you know why it didn't work? How did you fix it?

[@ericbrowning9251]

+thetechnomack My 08 impala is having these same exact issues. But my battery seems dead, and the car wouldnt even start with a jump. ANy suggestions?

[@mski5605]

Thank you. You did s great job and it helped me.

[@tammiegreen2524]

Key gets stuck unless I touch some wires under shifter. Now today, shifter loose and moves positions but they don't read on dash and car won't move out of park at all.

[@realreview7932]

Awesome very understandable video thanks