Yes, the release solenoid can get stuck. There is a little pop-out piece of plastic on the left side of the shifter that allows the solenoid to be retracted manually. You can use this to see if it is an issue with the solenoid or a cable/shifter issue.

 

Echo stuck in park

Thanks for the input gents. I went out today to inspect this problem and it was no longer stuck. It has warmed up to 17F today but a few days ago it was 30 degrees less -15F. As many of us know strange things can occur at lower temps, and I'm assuming this was one. Fran

 

echo stuck in park-again plus more

Hi gents, as you all know its not over till its over. Went to use the Echo today and on way back, at a stop, the trans was stuck in park again, i removed the little pie of plastic on the shifter base and released the shifter fine. But after this other things happened: ---Idle was rough at start up---trans banged when shifting and repeatedly the engine quit---all lights, wipers ,radio, directional s and clock were dead--there was a faint odor of burning insulation. It would run and I attempted to make the 12 miles home. Within 3 miles all systems returned and I thankfully drove home. Well it sounds like more than the brake light switch, I'm hoping for ideas. It will be on the ramps for an underside inspection soon. Fran

 

Echo el;ectrical problems

Update: I'm now pursuing the idea of a failing voltage regulator, in the alternator. Fran

 

How did you determine that?

 

voltage regulator fail?

Hi Hardtopte72: As I reviewed the symptoms I experienced in that Echo I came up with these: 1 Everything electrical went dim, trans shifted badly, engine stalled.and 2 smelt insulation smoking for a moment. And 3 electrical symptoms return to normal. So I'm seeing a wild swings in voltage output I also didn't mention that 4 years ago my daughter got stuck with no electrical power, lights dim and battery swollen and on the verge of exploding. I at that time replaced the alternator(Autozone) and had these 4 myears free of issues. As soon as it gets above -15 I'll put a meter on the alternator and see if the wild swings come back, but this on again off again symptoms are hard to nail down, with my knowledge. Thanks for the interest all, Fran

 

Echo electrical problems

OK gents, anyone following this issue. I installed a new alternator and first drive test was all systems ok. This might not be the end of it, and will post if anything comes up. Fran

 

hopefully, closure

Hi Gents, am having a hard time with computers last few weeks, Well it seemed I had a bad voltage regulator/alternator and a bad brake light/trans lock switch. I replaced both and the Echo is running fine. The switch was easier to change than it looked. Thanks again for the input. Fran