03 Saturn ion locked in park

03 Saturn Ion locked in park. Engine starts. Dash lites out, and no power to radio.I don't know if these are related, but can get out of park. Any ideas?
Thanks
T H

 

sounds like a blown fuse. your shift lock solenoid should be over rideable...check your owners manual to see how to bypass in an emergency. this may at least get you home or to have it repaired if you don't want to fool with it.

 

Are these solenoids common in most cars?, and since what year about?

What procedure is it, that once you start the car, that allows that solenoid to engage or disengage, to allow you to shift? What is the idea of yet anOTHER part on a car to have to think about/contend with? I thought that there used to be something mechanical years ago that would cause you to have to depress the brake pedal first. On newer cars, is it the brake pedal that has a solenoid attached to it? If not, what else would activate the solenoid? It can't be simply turning the key to start, as the poster can do that - just can't shift it.

 

ECMAN51.,,

Majorty of the newer vechiles do have soilind actived interlock with a " gate "

however with the OP have 03 Saturn my lady's car is 02 Saturn so it should be very simuair but let me run down real quick

first check the fuse [ you will have to check at the hood fusebox first] and check for brake light circuit and if the fuse is good then the cube relay is bad.

but however before you rule the cube relay bad tempory swap one over [ most of them are interchangebale IIRC ]

and see if get it work if so fine then slide the automatic shifter to netural not in park postion and use the hand parking brake lever to lock in the wheels to prevent the car move.

with the fuse ok , check the brake light if it do lit up then you have a switch misadjustment you may have to " stand on the pedel " you should feel a click when the soilind actaived.

if not check with the owner manual for correct emergecy producre to unlock [ i could tell you over on here but for safety reason better get your owner manual it have a section how to do that ]

i will let other chime in as well if they have additonal tibbits along the way


Merci,Marc

 

So it is the brake pedal that activates it, even with the electric solenoid? Maybe he could first "stand on the (brake) pedal" as you say, to see if there is some plunger-depth activation adjustment problem maybe? Then move on from there? Are they like a washing machine lid switch or dryer door or refrigerator door switch down there? Can you test the wires right there to see if there is incoming power to the one wire, then? Or to see if the switch "closes".

What is this "gate"?

 

Yep that pretty much right on the target what you are describing.

the " gate " which i refering to the a pin or clip to hold the shifter to prevent from unlocking from park postion if you try to squezze the lever tab on left side of shifter you should feel very firm not moving in at all until you push on the brake pedel and the same time you will feel or hear a click that will unlock it then you can able squezze it in.


hope that clear up the details here


Merci,Marc

 

most of them are activated by power from the brake light switch, so if no brake lights, no shifting out of park without overriding.
speedwrench.

 

The automatic transmission shift lock control system is a safety device that prevents an inadvertent shift out of PARK when the engine is running. The driver must press the brake pedal before moving the shift lever out of the PARK position. The system consists of the following components:

• The automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid

• The body control module (BCM)

• The powertrain control module (PCM)

The body control module (BCM) controls the voltage to the shift lock control solenoid though the shift lock control solenoid controlled voltage circuit. The following conditions must be met before the BCM will supply voltage to the shift lock control solenoid:

• The ignition is in the ON position.

• The powertrain control module (PCM) sends a class 2 message to the BCM indicating the transmission is in the PARK position.

• The BCM receives a brake applied input from the brake light switch.

The shift lock control solenoid is permanently ground, when the BCM supplies voltage to the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid the solenoid energizes, releasing the mechanical lock. This allows the driver to move the shift lever out of the PARK position. When the ignition is in the ACCY position the transmission position is not a required input for shift lock control operation.

Vehicles equipped with VTi variable transmission in cold weather temperatures below -25°C (-13°F) the PCM will send a class 2 message to the BCM preventing the operation of the shift lock control solenoid and the temperature gage light will flash. Once the transmission has warmed above -25°C (-13°F) the temperature gage light will stop flashing and normal shift lock control operation will resume.

 

Radio Power: The main radio power is supplied by the 10A RADIO (BATT1) fuse in the Body Control Module (BCM). Radio switch-on power, 12 volts in ACC, RUN or RAP, is supplied by the 10A RADIO (ACC.) in the BCM.

What I need you to do here is inspect Radio (BATT 1) Fuse 10amp for power, this is battery provided power and should always be hot. Check Radio (ACC.) Fuse 10A should be hot with Ignition in ACCY/RUN Position.

I have a feeling you lost power to the BCM, I'll check further into the schematics.

BCM also contains CLUSTER Fuse 7.5A should always be Hot.

*** Check Underhood Fuse Box fuse 39 (IP BATT 1) 30A and fuse 47 (IP BATT 1A). Provides always on power to park, lighter, dash, BCM, OnStar, Radio (BATT 1).
With Ignition on PWR outlet, PWR Windows, Wiper SW, Sun Roof, Radio (ACC). These are the fuses in the BCM ***

Will need some test result to check further.

 

mlass,

Post #8 was very enlightening.

I couldn't help thinking of Rube Goldberg, when I read it though, as I recently saw a Rube Goldberg competion on tv.

Back in the 60's or 70's wasn't there just maybe one mechanical component to all this, involved? Don't car manufacturers realize all the grief and expense they cause people with such stuff? (I still like the recent post where the guy showed pics and wrote an epistle on how he removes the rear 3 spark plugs.)

 

Don't car manufacturers realize all the grief and expense they cause people with such stuff?

wouldn't have happened had they designed shifters well...there are plenty of documented cases of cars experiencing unwanted acceleration...and lawyers that capitolized. we are a letigious society...

 

You should see the new stuff for 08 and 09. Technology is only getting better. My expertise is electrical, so 20+ modules in a car looks fun to me. I do have to say if you have the right Scan Tool and access to the Manufactures Service Manual (i did like Mitchell, because of the schematics) You'll find that diagnostic is actually getting easier.