Trax Gear Shifter Malfunction Causes Starting Issues

Had a similar issue with my 2016 Chevy Equinox. The symptoms matched yours, shift lock problems, transmission not reading gear positions correctly, and check engine light. Turned out the shift interlock solenoid was failing, which affects the gear shifter mechanism. The transmission control module wasn't getting proper position signals. My repair required: Replacing shift interlock solenoid, Reprogramming transmission control unit, Fixing wiring harness connection This was definitely a serious issue since it affected basic vehicle operation and safety systems. The transmission failure symptoms were concerning, but the actual fix wasn't as bad as replacing the whole transmission. Important: Get the transmission diagnostic codes read before any work starts. Make sure they check both the park brake system and shift lock mechanism, they're interconnected on these models. Don't drive it much until fixed, as this can lead to more severe transmission damage. The repair took about 4-5 hours at the shop. Would recommend finding a shop that specializes in GM transmissions for this type of work.

Thanks for the detailed response about the shift interlock solenoid. I'm having nearly identical transmission issues with my Trax, did the fix completely resolve your gear linkage problems? Rough shifting is my biggest concern right now since I need this car for daily use. The transmission repair estimate I got seemed really high, so I'm curious what you ended up paying for the solenoid replacement and reprogramming? Also wondering if you've had any other transmission issues pop up since the repair was done? I'll definitely get those diagnostic codes checked before proceeding. The gear shifter is still acting up when trying to get into neutral position, so I want to make sure they look at the whole system.

Just wanted to update you on my Equinox situation. After getting it properly diagnosed and fixed, the automatic transmission has been working perfectly, no more gear shifter problems at all. The repair completely solved both the rough shifting and the parking position issues. The total bill came to about 1000 € to replace the faulty control unit. While it wasn't cheap, it was way better than needing a full transmission replacement. Haven't had a single transmission failure symptom since the fix, and it's been running smoothly for months now. That strange behavior when shifting into neutral position you mentioned was exactly what I experienced. Getting those diagnostic codes checked first definitely saved me from more expensive repairs down the road. The mechanic found that the transmission control module wasn't communicating properly with the shifter mechanism, but once they fixed the control unit, everything went back to normal. Really glad I got it sorted properly instead of trying temporary fixes. The transmission shifts perfectly now, and there's no more uncertainty about whether it's actually in park or not.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Finally got my Trax fixed and wanted to share my experience. Took it to a transmission specialist who actually knew what they were talking about. The diagnostic showed it was indeed the shift interlock solenoid causing the gear linkage problems. They replaced the faulty part and reprogrammed the transmission control module. Bill came to around 850 € total, labor was the biggest chunk since they had to access some tricky spots. The automatic transmission is working perfectly now. No more rough shifting or problems getting into neutral position. The gear shifter clicks firmly into place and the transmission actually knows what gear it's in. Check engine light is gone too. Whole repair took about 6 hours but was worth the wait. They showed me the old solenoid, it was pretty worn out and definitely the source of all those transmission failure symptoms. Really glad I didn't keep driving it and risk more damage. Appreciate all the input that helped me avoid getting overcharged for unnecessary work. The specialist shop made a huge difference compared to my previous mechanic experience.