Occasionally the car will not start. No crank, nothing. Turn key, nothing, as if you were not fully in park... (This issue coincides with the automatic door unlocks not working after putting gear in park and turning car off).

If I push the gear selector (automatic) forward a bit more the car will start up. It's almost like it doesn't know it's actually in park... The same solution works to ensure the doors unlock when putting in park. What could this be?

It has coincided with a sort of light scraping noise from the center console area that only happens while the car is moving. Maybe the two are related? This all started after rear main seal was replaced.

 

Sounds like the park/neutral position switch, its equivalent, or the shift linkage is out of adjustment.

 

Derf thanks so much! This is what I thought as well! So interesting enough, we did replace the park/neutral position switch after getting a MIL for it. The MIL has never returned. That said the scraping sound happened before we did that but after the rear main seal. I did pull all data manual for this car, I couldn't find anything too in depth for adjusting the shift linkage. Is this something a fairly handy diy mechanic can do?

 

I'm out of my league on the vue.

It may be something like a worn bushing creating play.

Someone else will have to pick up from here

 

Charm shows specifics on aligning/adjusting the park neutral position sensor at transmission position sensor. It calls for a special tool thats pricy, but totally mechanical. So you may be able to find a workaround.

 

Dude this is so cool! I had no idea about Charm! I'll take a look and see if this looks out of my league lol! I will.probably have a bunch of questions.... Lol

Derf, thanks so much for replying and helping. Also appreciate the patience I know I threw out a bunch of crap like a firehouse that didn't make much sense... Thanks for steering me back to sanity.

 

You are nowhere near sane.

Never thank me for anything until it's fixed.
Almost, seemingly, I thought it was, have been demonstrated not to be close enough.

See other post.

 

Assuming you have the 4T45e
Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.
Home >> Saturn >> 2006 >> VUE AWD V6-3.5L VIN 4 >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Transmission and Drivetrain >> Sensors and Switches - Transmission and Drivetrain >> Sensors and Switches - A/T >> Transmission Position Sensor/Switch >> Service and Repair >> 4T45-E - Automatic Transaxle

4T45-E - Automatic Transaxle

Park/Neutral Position (PNP) Switch Replacement

^ Tools Required
- J 41545 Park Neutral Position Switch Tool

Removal Procedure





1. Disconnect the shift control cable (3) from the range select lever (4).
2. Release the shift control cable retaining clip (2) and remove the cable from the shift control cable bracket (1).





3. Remove the transaxle range select lever nut (2).
4. Remove the transaxle range select lever (3) from the transaxle manual shaft (1).





5. Disconnect the PNP switch electrical connector (3) from the PNP switch (4).
6. Remove the PNP switch bolt (2) and stud (1).
7. Remove the PNP switch (4) from the transaxle.

Installation Procedure (Old Switch)





1. Make sure the transaxle manual shaft is in the Neutral position.
2. Align the flats on the PNP switch with the transaxle manual shaft and install the PNP switch.
3. Loosely install the PNP switch bolt (2) and stud (1).
4. Connect the PNP switch electrical connector (3).





Important: After adjusting the switch, verify the engine only starts in Park or Neutral. If the engine starts in any other position, adjust the switch.

5. Insert the J 41545 as shown and rotate the PNP switch until the tool drops onto position.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

6. Tighten the PNP switch bolt and stud.
^ Tighten the bolt and stud to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).
7. Remove the alignment tool.





8. Install the transaxle range select lever (3) to the transaxle manual shaft (1).
9. Install the transaxle range select lever nut (2).
^ Tighten the nut to 35 Nm (26 ft. lbs.).





10. Install the shift control cable and retaining clip (2) to the shift control cable bracket (1).
11. Install the shift control cable (3) to the range select lever (4).
12. Verify proper operation of the shift control cable and if necessary adjust the cable.
1. Place the shift lever in N (Neutral). Rotate the selector shaft clockwise from P (Park) through R (Reverse) into N (Neutral).
2. With the shift control assembly in N (Neutral) lift the cable connector locking clip up.
3. Push the clip on the cable connector until fully seated and flush with cable body.

Installation Procedure (New Switch)





Important: After adjusting the switch, verify the engine only starts in Park or Neutral. If the engine starts in any other position, adjust the switch.

1. Make sure the transaxle manual shaft is in the Neutral position.
2. Align the flats on the PNP switch with the transaxle manual shaft and install the PNP switch.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

3. Install the PNP switch bolt (2) and stud (1).
^ Tighten the bolt and stud to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).
4. Connect the PNP switch electrical connector (3).





5. Install the transaxle range select lever (3) to the transaxle manual shaft (1).
6. Install the transaxle range select lever nut (2).
^ Tighten the nut to 35 Nm (26 ft. lbs.).





7. Install the shift control cable and retaining clip (2) to the shift control cable bracket (1).
8. Install the shift control cable (3) to the range select lever (4).
9. Verify proper operation of the shift control cable and if necessary adjust the cable.
1. Place the shift lever in N (Neutral). Rotate the selector shaft clockwise from P (Park) through R (Reverse) into N (Neutral).
2. With the shift control assembly in N (Neutral) lift the cable connector locking clip up.
3. Push the clip on the cable connector until fully seated and flush with cable body.
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