Service Repair

Cadillac Reports Vehicles May Not Obtain Park

Sept. 14, 2020

This bulletin applies to 2016-2019 Cadillac ATS, 2016-2018 CT6, 2016-2019 CTS and 2015-2018 Escalade vehicles. Customers may comment that the vehicle will not obtain Park at times. The condition may be caused by a damaged parking pawl and/or parking pawl actuator. The transmission may have experienced a park engagement while the vehicle was in motion or the transfer case obtained a neutral status.

Information courtesy of Mitchell 1

Mike Mavrigian

Attempt to duplicate the no-park condition by operating the shift lever. The shift lever should move freely through al positions. Check the transfer case for proper operation in each range. Inspect the shift cable system and mounting bracket for any signs of visible damage or being mis-routed.

If these checks find no issues, remove the transmission oil pan and valve body. Remove the park pawl actuator bracket and discard the bolts. Remove the park pawl actuator. Inspect for damage, bent rod or incomplete travel or incomplete travel of the actuator. Inspect the park pawl for damage. If damage to the park pawl actuator and park pawl is present, replace the following parts:

Park pawl actuator
Park pawl
Main shaft detent lever hub pin
Park pawl actuator bracket
Park pawl actuator bracket bolts
Output carrier

About the Author

Information courtesy of Mitchell 1

Information for Technical Service Bulletins comes from ProDemand, Mitchell 1's auto repair information software for domestic and import vehicles. Headquartered in San Diego, Mitchell 1 has provided quality repair information solutions to the automotive industry since 1918.

About the Author

Mike Mavrigian | Motor Age Editor

Mike Mavrigian has written thousands of automotive technical magazine articles involving a variety of specialties, from engine building to wheel alignment, and has authored more than a dozen books that crisscross the automotive spectrum. Mike operates Birchwood Automotive, an Ohio shop that builds custom engines and performs vintage vehicle restorations. The shop also features a professional photo studio to document projects and to create images for articles and books.