Suzuki Vitara stuck in park
While towing our 08 Vitata, we stopped at a rest stop to run it for a few minutes
as required every 200 miles. Could not get the automatic transmission out of park.
Following owner manual instructions, I hit the manual release and was able to shift the transmission into drive to ensure lubrication. When we arrived at our destination, I found I could over ride the transmission lockout, but could not get the transfer case out of neutral. Searching the web, I found an old post from 09 that described the same problem. The electric lockout gets its power from the brake light circuit, so that it ensures that the brake is applied before shifting out of park or changing gears in the transfer case. A wire from our Vitara's tow brake system, that runs to the dash of our motor home to indicate that the brakes are applied in the towed vehicle, pinched, grounded out and blew the fuse to the brake light circuit. No power to the brake light circuit = no shift. I located the pinched wire, repaired it, put in a new fuse and $1.25 later I'm on the road again. Just thought I would post this as an old post from this site probably saved me many $$ in repair bills.
Wind at your back
JDsdogs.
as required every 200 miles. Could not get the automatic transmission out of park.
Following owner manual instructions, I hit the manual release and was able to shift the transmission into drive to ensure lubrication. When we arrived at our destination, I found I could over ride the transmission lockout, but could not get the transfer case out of neutral. Searching the web, I found an old post from 09 that described the same problem. The electric lockout gets its power from the brake light circuit, so that it ensures that the brake is applied before shifting out of park or changing gears in the transfer case. A wire from our Vitara's tow brake system, that runs to the dash of our motor home to indicate that the brakes are applied in the towed vehicle, pinched, grounded out and blew the fuse to the brake light circuit. No power to the brake light circuit = no shift. I located the pinched wire, repaired it, put in a new fuse and $1.25 later I'm on the road again. Just thought I would post this as an old post from this site probably saved me many $$ in repair bills.
Wind at your back
JDsdogs.
