All three will be going in for ignition recall, so once that is performed, I will replace one shifter and then see what I can figure out to repair the second, while I have it out of the vehicle. I have looked at them briefly in the car and one seems to have a broken tab with a pin, that I couldn't quite see without removing more to get a better view. The 3rd one is a 5 spd.

I will do a more thorough search here, once I have it out, so I can repair it correctly and possibly improve it.

The biggest thing, I don't like, is the shifter can be bumped into reverse or park without the button from drive. I don't think that would end well!

 

Dorman has a kit for the button pin replacement

 

That sounds more like a previous owner "fixed" the interlock system by breaking it completely.

 

My wife's 2006 HHR auto shifter just started being difficult to shift out of Park.. Feels like something is hampering, not smooth to move from Park to Reverse. Also seems to have binding from Reverse to all the other gears. I have an appointment to take it in tomorrow. Would the solenoids or button rod discussed above be possible causes?

 

Maybe.

Are sugary beverages consumed in the front seats? That's another thing to consider.

 

No, but she said some coins may have gotten in there but that was two years ago.

 

Dealer diagnosed binding caused by failure of shifting assembly. Replaced it.

$500 ($196 for parts, $277 labor). Oh well, other than replacing struts and shocks (brakes still ok) and tires we have not had any repairs to this 2006 with 67K miles.

 

Thanks for the info, I may need to contact him, once I get the other shifter out.

I don't understand why they won't recall this, especially with the fact it can be a safety issue, with the shifter being able to go through all the gears by simply pushing it once they're broke.

That sucks that you got a bill of $500 for this repair, glad to know you have it repaired though. I just did my shifter tonight, I replaced it with a working used unit I bought from a member here.

 

"Dorman" is a company that distributes after market repair parts, commonly found in the "HELP" section of auto parts stores. But a huge number of repair parts can be ordered from them or one of their sub distributors from any parts store.

 

Thank you for the clarification.

From what I can gather, it looks like the plastic sleeve inside the shifter stem that moves the pin, is broke and is allowing the pin to fall out. The switch for the brake is probably the cause of the broke part as you mentioned earlier.