Its really frustrating, when nobody knows what the problem is. When i turn the key, step on the brake, it makes this strange noise. Then i try to put it in reverse and it wouldn't move, its stuck in park. I already replaced the brake pedal angle sensor. WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE? Please help!http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif

Is the noise inside or outside the vehicle? Something to check would be to make sure your brake lights work properly. Sometime the brake switch for the lights and the shifter goes bad, or is this the sensor you are talking about? Also, the shift interlock switch may be bad. The brake pedal switch tells the system the brake pedal is depressed and the shift interlock switch should disengage allowing you to shift from park. The interlock switch/soldenoid is mounted on the shifter itself.

What chevyguy said. It may be the shift lock solenoid or the corresponding control circuit wiring. In addition, the BCM is supposed to activate this solenoid if it determines:

1. The ignition is ON
2. The brake pedal is depressed
3. The shift lever is in the PARK position

Since it makes a strange noise, I'd suspect a stuck or worn-out solenoid.

I think the noise is inside the car down by the brake pedal. When it is stuck in park, the brake lights are on. What is the difference solenoid or the sensor that they put in?

Moving this to the right section. People please check the area where you are posting to make sure you are in the correct generation.

Thanks.

I think the noise is inside the car down by the brake pedal. When it is stuck in park, the brake lights are on. What is the difference solenoid or the sensor that they put in?

The shift lock solenoid and the shift interlock switch are one and the same. The shift lock solenoid is a part of the shift lever mechanism as chevyguy mentioned. Are you sure the noise isn't coming from the shift lever/center console area? Please describe this noise.

If the brake lights are on without the brake pedal being pressed on then the issue lies either with the brake switch, the BCM, or a wiring issue. How long has the noise been happening too?

On second thought, do you have power adjustable pedals? In that case, it may be the motor assembly for that that's making the noise. While the adjustment is taking place, it won't allow the shift lever to be moved out of PARK.

I don't know if i have power adjustable pedals, it hard to describe the noise. What is BCM? Its been like this for a few months, everytime i take it to the shop, it does not do anything. It sounds like when you pull an air shock apart, it makes that strange noise. I hope that helps

When you step on the brake the only noise you should hear is a muffled air movement. That's caused by the vacuum-powered brake booster allowing air next to your foot to enter the booster via a filter. It sounds kinda like a swissshhhh.

If you're hearing a buzzing sound see if you can get someone to put their ear near the shifter to determine if it's coming from there or your brake pedal area. If it's coming from the shifter then your shif-lock solenoid is likely the source. If it's the pedal area then you have some other issue.

Try this when you can't shift from Park. Turn the key to accessory (not Run), step on the brake, move the shifter to Neutral, start the car. If that lets you shift every time then the shift-lock system needs repaired.

BCM stands for Body Control Module. Not sure if your year has it or not, but from '08 up the 'Bu does. You probably also don't have adjustable pedals.

Will any of these problems show up on the computer if they would hook it up? It doesn't happen all the time either. Like it will do it 2 days in a row then it won't for a day or a few days.

If you see a switch next to the instrument cluster brightness control knob (left of the steering wheel), you have power adjustable pedals. See the image http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/album.php?albumid=8&pictureid=20.

The BCM will set a code if it detects an electrical open or short on the shift lock solenoid circuit. Only well-equipped shops have scanners than can read BCM codes.

How did you manage to take it out of PARK when it acts up?

No i don't have adj. pedals. I have to push really hard on the brake like almost to the floor and it releases it. Well i had it at the chevy dealer and they said there was nothing wrong with it, but there is. It didn't show up on their computer.

But it doesn't happen all the time like i said. It will act up a few days then it won't.

Hmm, I'm out of ideas. I assume we're not missing the obvious like parking on a hill.

Intermittent problems are a bear. First, get used to listen for the solenoid noise in the shift lever/center console area. Then, do some more detective work when it happens:

1. Verify that the brake lights are on when you depress the pedal.
2. Try jiggling the shift lever.
3. Turn the key to off and then to ACC, and then try getting it out of PARK (per DrivenDaily).

Hopefully knowledgeable folks on this forumm can come up with an answer.

I will have to replacing parts. I am listening to everyones comments and ideas. I have a machinic friend that will help me do all this, but he is alittle stumped. So i am giving him these ideas too. Thanks guys, please keep them coming.

I'm having what sounds like the same problem with my 05 Maxx (not being able to shift out of park). It's happened sporadically over the last year and a half, and then it's happened 3 times in the last week. From what I can tell, it appears to be linked with moisture (rain, melting snow, etc.).

I've noticed something in common between the occurrences:

1) Restarting the car has no effect.
2) Pressing the brake pedal makes it feel and sound like ABS is activating, but only the first time; other than that, see #3.
3) The brake pedal feels different. Less resistive.

One time it happened in a quiet parking garage, and I heard some noise that seemed to come from around the brake pedal area; immediately afterwards, I could should shift the car out of park. It's as if the brake system initialized late.

I just found out about the shift-in-accessory trick - I'll have to try that the next time that this happens to me.

I haven't forgotten about this issue thus I'm glad you brought it back. christine went MIA and thus I don't know what her outcome was. It turns out that there was a TSB (discussed on this forum, actually). See the thread http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2401.

Ah, much thanks. That also reminded me of our cruise issues that cropped up a couple months ago :)

Off to find some dielectric grease...

jbaergen, did the dilectric grease work for you? I'm having pretty much the exact same problem with my 06 malibu.

jbaergen, did the dilectric grease work for you? I'm having pretty much the exact same problem with my 06 malibu.

Thanks for reminding me to report back here.

Short answer: Yes :)

Long answer: If you read the referenced links, the dielectric grease is just a preventative measure. It doesn't solve the problem, it just prevents it from happening again once it's fix.

You should read the linked pages. The fix is to clean up the pins by unplugging/plugging in a few times, which worked like a charm for me, even before using the grease.

Josh

I haven't forgotten about this issue thus I'm glad you brought it back. christine went MIA and thus I don't know what her outcome was. It turns out that there was a TSB (discussed on this forum, actually). See the thread http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2401.

The above mentioned TSB has repaired the multiple problems that I had with my Malibu, Thank You Starship and "TDinMT" for the post! I started to search for Malibu forums, and joined this one for the sole purpose of trying to get these problems fixed that three garages and one Chevrolet dealer could not. And after literally 30 seconds of searching here, and two minutes in the passenger footwell, of my car, two years of problems have been quickly and inexpensively fixed by a nobody (me)!!! THANKS AGAIN!!! YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

Michael