Shift Lock and Key Lock

(Certain Markets, USA, Canada)







To avoid any chance of the gear selector inadvertently moving from the Park position on the gear selector, cars in certain markets are also fitted with an electrically operated interlock function (shift-lock). This locks the interlock pin (1) in the gear selector lever in the quadrant, thus locking the selector lever in the Park position Figure A.

Before it is possible to move the gear shift from the P (Park) position to any other gear position, the ignition must be turned on and the brake pedal kept depressed.

When the ignition is switched on and the brake pedal is pressed at the same time, a solenoid (electromagnet) (2) is activated in the lever base. The solenoid lock pin (3) is pressed in and you can then press down the lock button in the normal way to select another gear. See figure B.

In addition to this there is a further interlock and safety function in certain markets - USA and Canada - (key interlock), which is mechanically connected to the ignition lock by means of a Bowden cable. The key interlock is controlled by the position of the lock cylinder (4) in the ignition lock, and the gear selector position. This means that the gear selector has to be in the Park position in order to remove the ignition key from the ignition. This also means that the ignition key must be turned to positions I or II to permit the gear selector to be shifted from the Park position. The key-lock function is only supplied in combination with the shift-lock.







To permit the gear selector to be moved from the Park position when the car lacks battery voltage, or if there is a fault in the shift lock mechanism, it is possible to disconnect the interlock mechanism mechanically. The mechanical disconnection consists of a button (5) on the gear shift assembly base, marked SHIFT LOCK OVERRIDE. When the button is pressed, the solenoid lock pin (3) is freed, and the gear selector can be moved from the Park position. See figure C. Note: on cars with key interlock, the ignition key must first be turned to position I or II.


For as long as the fault persists, the mechanical disconnect must be used together with the ignition key every time the gear selector is moved from the Park position.


There is a microswitch (6) in the electrical circuit between the brake lamp contact and the solenoid. The micro-switch only closes the circuit in the Park position, so that the solenoid will not be activated every time the driver presses the brake pedal when driving.

Park/Neutral function

The car is equipped with a Park/Neutral position (PNP) switch in the gear position sensor which is mounted on the transmission to prevent the car being started with a gear selected. This design means that the engine can only be started in Neutral or Park positions. This prevents the car from lurching forwards inadvertently when started.