I have a 2008 Suburban 1500 4WD with a 5.3L engine and automatic transmission. For the past couple of months my suburban has been having a periodic problem shifting out of park into reverse or any other gear. This problem does not occur every time and I cannot determine how to make it happen or not happen. On the times that I do have difficulty getting it into reverse, there is a loud clicking sound under the drivers side of the vehicle that almost sounds like an electric solenoid that is clicking. Once I shift into drive the clicking goes away and the vehicle drives and shifts normally. Today while in a parking lot I stopped and put the vehicle into park and then tried to go back into reverse and the gear shift selector would not move. I turned the vehicle off and tried to turn it back on but the vehicle would not start. When I looked down at the dash indicator there was no indication of what gear I was in. After some work I was able to get the shift selector to move and could see it move from reverse through the gears but it would not show up on park and the vehicle would still not start. After about 20 minutes of frustration and moving the selector around it finally indicated that I was in park and I was able to start the car and get home. My question is what would cause the clicking sound when in reverse and is that related to the shifting problems? Could this possible be a relay or solenoid of some type and how can I determine which one if it is?

 

It is your shift interlock device it's either mal adjusted or going out. You can adjust it easily, look at your brake pedal and up and you will see some switches.