Car won't shift out of park, OR turn off without remote fob!

[Mike94ZLT1]

Hey guys, I need some help. Two months ago I hopped in my car, and it wouldn't shift out of park. I had to pop that little tab by the shifter and use a zip tie to depress the lockout, so I could go. Later that day my car also decided it didn't want to turn off. I could turn the key to the off position, take the key out, and it would still run. The only way I could get it to turn off was to push the remote start button on my key fob (aftermarket). I ended up pulling the console and physically blocking the shift lock so I could shift the car without a zip tie, so that works. But it still did the thing where I need to use the fob to turn it off. I was reading and I think the two issues may be related, like a fuse or relay or something. The fuses under the hood by the battery all look fine, is there another fuse panel elsewhere? I don't drive this thing much anymore, it mainly is used as a winter warrior. I would like to fix the issue before the weather turns too bad. Thanks! -Mike

[Mike W.]

Yeah, I think it's related to the circuitry for the fob and the remote start. They would need to use a relay to bypass the ignition switch to give the remote start. If that is acting up, either the relay itself or the circuit that drives it, it could continue to run. Since the shift interlock is tied into the ignition, I could see how it would act up too. Another possibility is a bad ignition switch, some marques are prone to them, although it doesn't seem like I've seen any problems here, but that too could give the same symptoms. But I always suspect aftermarket add on stuff before factory when odd problems arise. It's even possible that a less than factory grade installation was made and a wire came loose.

Personally I would start by either removing or just temporarily disconnecting the aftermarket start function. I doubt it's a fuse problem.

[Mike94ZLT1]

Thank you Mike W! I've done some more troubleshooting, and I have since replaced the ignition switch and the brake light switch. I just realized my rear brakes do not work. I can turn the car on and off with the key, but ONLY if I use the key to start it. If I remote start it, the only way I can turn it off is if I use the remote start button. Generally when you remote start the car with an aftermarket remote start, you can kill it by hitting the brakes. This was not the case, and I now see that the brake lights are not working. The bulbs are good, tail lights and turn signals work so I know the grounds are good, which is why I replaced the switch.

Regardless of the remote start working or not, the brake lights should still function. Any other ideas? Fuses, relays?

[Mike W.]

Generally when you remote start the car with an aftermarket remote start, you can kill it by hitting the brakes.

I think that's the key to your brake lights. It intercepts the brake light signal, either by tapping into it or routing it thru a relay to give the shut off function.

Aftermarket alarms and remotes are notorious for being troublesome as they age, though sometimes just because car stereo shops do a quick and dirty job of installing them.

[Mike94ZLT1]

I came to the same conclusion, and took it back to the guy who installed it a few years ago. I'm just surprised the alarm caused all those other issues!