Getting the “Vehicle not in park message” on a vehicle’s display can be a worrying experience for many drivers. The alert could mean several things, including issues with the shifter mechanism. And like most warning notifications, it’s important to understand this message and what to do about it.
Herein, I strive to explain what the vehicle not in park warning notification means, its possible causes, and how to fix it. Let’s explore!
Question: What Does the Vehicle Not in Park Notification Mean?
In a normal situation, the “Vehicle not in park” notification occurs if you attempt to turn the engine off while the vehicle is in D (Drive) or R (Reverse). The message indicates your vehicle may roll away if you don’t shift it into Park.
However, several issues can cause the warning alert to show on the dash despite shifting into Park. The most common causes are a defective shifter mechanism, a faulty TCM, bad sensors, or a low battery. When this message appears, the car may not drive forward, and the engine may not turn off.
Many drivers report that the engine may run, but nothing happens when they move the shifter into Drive. They’ll try to depress the gas pedal, but the vehicle won’t move forward or reverse. Then, the “Vehicle not in park” alert appears on the dash.
Answer: Causes of Vehicle Not in Park Message and Fixes
Your modern vehicle features a complex shifting mechanism that increases safety. It works with several safety features, modules, sensors, and switches. However, the complex shifting mechanism is prone to many issues that might trigger the vehicle not in park warning notification.
Some causes of this problem are easy to fix, while others require the experience of a dealer or a mechanic. Below are the common causes and effective fixes:
Defective Shifter Mechanism
The automatic gear shift mechanism can fail and trigger the “Vehicle not in park” notification. The problem usually stems from a malfunctioning shifter cable. The cable can wear out or become loose, affecting the gear-shifting process.
If broken or damaged, this cable won’t allow gears to shift into Drive, Reverse, Neutral, or Park. So if you move the shifter into Park, the cable won’t communicate with the transmission.
A faulty park switch in automatic shifters is another cause of this warning message. This switch ensures your vehicle starts only when in the Park position. It lets the transmission control module (TCM) know the car is in Park.
When this switch fails, it doesn’t allow signal transmission to the TCM. The transmission will still go into Park, but you may receive the warning message on the dash.
If your vehicle has a defective shifter mechanism, find an expert to troubleshoot the problem. The expert may replace the damaged shifter cable or the faulty park switch. In some cases, the expert may replace the entire shifter mechanism if it’s bad.
Note: You can still drive the car if the defective shifter moves to Drive, Park, or Neutral. However, if it doesn’t shift, you can’t start the engine, drive, or turn it off.
Faulty TCM
The transmission control module is the “transmission’s computer” since it controls the vehicle’s electronic automatic transmissions. It works with the ECM, transmission system, shifter mechanism, and safety systems to ensure the car runs properly.
Issues with the TCM may trigger many symptoms, including the vehicle not in park warning alert. The problem might result from a random ECM or TCM software error. A software error will interfere with the communication between the two modules and trigger this warning message.
Resetting the ECM can help clear the software error and the warning notification. You can reset ECM by disconnecting your car’s battery for 15-20 minutes. The warning notification will disappear when you reconnect and drive for a few miles.
However, a reset won’t clear the message if you have a bad TCM. The TCM may malfunction due to water damage or voltage surges. These issues may trigger the warning notification.
If the TCM is defective, allow a dealer or a reputable mechanic to repair or replace it. The cost of repairing or replacing the TCM is high, so check if you can benefit from the warranty.
Bad Sensors
The shifter mechanism relies on some sensors to communicate with the TCM. One of them is the transmission position sensor. This sensor communicates with the TCM concerning the shifter’s position.
Like other sensors in your car, the transmission position sensor can malfunction and provide false signals to the computer. You may see the “Vehicle not in park” alert despite having the shifter in Park.
Another possible culprit is the door sensor. This sensor works with the vehicle’s Auto Park System to prevent shifting into gear when the door is ajar or open. A bad door sensor can trigger several issues, including the vehicle not in park warning notification.
If your car has a faulty transmission position or door sensor, hire a specialist to examine and fix the problem. The specialist may clean, repair, or replace the problematic sensor.
Leaving the Door Open
The Auto Park System in modern cars is an innovative safety feature that works after meeting certain conditions. For example, you must close the driver’s door and move the gear shifter into Drive for the Auto Park to engage.
If you leave the door open or ajar, you might get the vehicle not in park message. This notification will appear even after moving the shifter into Drive. The system assumes that starting and driving with an open door is unsafe. To ensure safety, the Auto Park System disables the throttle to prevent it from moving.
Check if you’ve left the driver’s door open or ajar. Lock it properly, move the shifter to Park, and turn off the engine. Then, turn the car on and wait for the warning notification to disappear. Once the notification is gone, move the shifter to Drive and check if everything works fine.
Low or Defective Battery
The TCM and other electrical components rely on the battery power to function properly. If your battery is low or defective, it won’t provide power to these components. They may work erratically or stop working and trigger the vehicle not in park warning alert.
Your car might have a low battery if it has a malfunctioning alternator. Moreover, an old or defective battery may lose its ability to charge or hold power.
Ensure your vehicle’s alternator is okay, and recharge the battery in your garage. You’ll also need to ensure the terminals and cable connections are in good condition. Remove any corrosion on the terminals and tighten the connections.
If the battery has lost its ability to hold a charge, it might be defective and need replacing.
Note: If you leave your car in the garage for a long time, install a battery maintainer to keep the main battery fully charged. The maintainer may also extend your vehicle battery’s lifespan.
Question: Can a Vehicle Start If Not in Park?
Modern cars can only start in Park or Neutral. They use the two shifter positions as safety features to prevent the car from lurching forward or backward while starting.
When in the Park position, you’ll need to depress the brake pedal. If starting in Neutral, you must put the hand brake on and depress the brake pedal.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, I’ve covered everything you should know about the vehicle not in park message. If this notification appears on the dash, check the driver’s door to ensure it’s fully closed. Then, ensure you have a functional battery supplying power to electrical components.
If the message occurs due to defects with the TCM, shifter mechanism, or sensors, seek help from a specialist.